The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has ordered an investigation into contract allegations against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and its Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Abba Jibril.
The Springdale Academy of Maritime Education and Training Trust (SAMET) in India petitioned the Minister, accusing Abba Jibril of allegedly renegotiating the terms of the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) MoU in an “unconventional manner” and with alleged “intention to achieve personal gratification.”
According to a source, Abba Jibril has denied the allegations, stating that he has not breached any aspect of the Memorandom of Understanding (MoU) and has not sought financial inducement from vendors.
The petition, dated July 19, 2024, claims that the alleged renegotiation was done contrary to the provisions of the MoU and has put the affected cadets at risk of accomplishing their mission.
Titled “Breach Of Contractual Engagement As Contained In The Memorandum Of Understanding Duly Executed Between Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA) And Springdale Academy Of Maritime Education & Training Trust (SAMET), India.
SAMET also sought an assurance that further business relationship between the parties will be governed by strict adherence to best international practices.
According to Daily Trend, the petition was copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Director, Legal Unit of NIMASA.
On the contractual relationship, the law firm representing SAMET stated that NIMASA vide a duly executed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2021, engaged “our client to provide the services of training your agency’s cadets in India under the terms provided in the said MoU wherein your Agency covenanted to “co-operate with our client in all matters relating to the services and provide information as our client may require from time to time; provide the NIMASA deliverables; pay for the Services under an invoice which has been vetted and agreed by both parties.”
“By Clause 4 (a) (iii) of the MOU, your Agency has an obligation to pay for the services rendered by our client under an invoice which has been vetted and agreed by both parties while Clause 7 (1.3) of the MoU further provides that:
“The NIMASA shall pay the Invoice, within 30 days of the date of receipt of a valid invoice in advance to the Service Provider’s Bank Account, barring any delays caused by unavoidable financial regulatory processes. A valid invoice in respect of any student may be issued by the Service Provider only following enrolment of such students for the Course by the Service Provider.
“Earlier in 2023, our client was requested to submit invoice for additional 100 cadets under the existing MOU and the sum of $24,300 per cadet was submitted. The Management of your Agency met on the 3rd day of April, 2024 and approved additional 100 cadets and the list of the 100 cadets was given to our client to commence necessary arrangements.”
“In line with the terms of the MOU, our client has issued your Agency with an invoice for over (3) three months now, but to our client’s dismay, your Agency, which is expected to uphold best practices, has deliberately failed, refused and/or neglected to pay the issued invoice.
“The amount invoiced is, by the MOU, due and payable and it is with regard to service which your Agency has enjoyed and is currently enjoying.”
The Minister subsequently issued a query to the NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, to respond to the allegations within seven days.
SAMET had earlier petitioned the NIMASA DG over alleged breach of contractual agreement, demanding immediate payment of all sums due and payable as per the invoices submitted.
The Indian company also sought an assurance that further business relationships would be governed by strict adherence to best international practices.
