The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the contracts for the rehabilitation of the railway sector has said it is unable to trace 14 companies that were awarded contracts running into billions of naira.
It therefore announced that warrants of arrest would be issued for eight of the firms
in the next few days.
Some of the firms are Costain West Africa plc, Ansaldo-A3&0 Ltd, A3&0 Wireless Ltd, Gear Holdings and Ansaldo South Africa.
Others are Eser Contracting and Industry Company Inc., Eser West Africa Ltd and Eser Nigeria Contracting Company Ltd.
Briefing newsmen on Thursday, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, said Costain West Africa would be issued a warrant of arrest in connection with the N12.2 billion contract for the rehabilitation of Jebba to Kano narrow gauge line, while Ansaldo South Africa is wanted in connection with the N10 billion contract to upgrade the signalling and telecom system in the narrow gauge line.
Eser Nigeria Contracting Company is wanted in connection with N19 billion contract for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt to Markurdi narrow gauge.
Agbonayinma said the firms have failed to appear or respond to the invitation of the committee since October 2015 when the investigative hearing started.
He added that search at the Corporate Affairs Commission showed that some of the firms do not have offices in Nigeria.
“Many of the other addresses provided could not be traced…There is no grace period anymore, the warrants would be issued in the next couple of days, and NRC (Nigeria Railway Corporation) has to produce them. They awarded the contracts and dealt directly with the contractors,” he said.
