In a nation already grappling with the aftermath of budget padding scandals and misappropriation of funds, another alarming development has emerged – the signing of a rail agreement with a dormant UK firm, MPH Rail Development Limited, for the implementation of the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line project.
Shockingly, this company, as of 2022, maintains a mere £100 bank balance and lacks any substantial financial records or a track record of past projects.
Under the guise of the Renewed Hope Agenda, spearheaded by the Bola Tinubu-led government through Minister for Transport, Sen. Ahmed Alkali, this agreement raises grave concerns about corruption and fiscal irresponsibility.
How was a company with no proven financial capability selected for such a monumental project involving millions of dollars?
The absence of financial records is just the tip of the iceberg.
What about the company’s past projects?
How many rail lines has MPH Rail Development Limited delivered?
These questions remain unanswered, leaving taxpayers apprehensive about yet another potential conduit for embezzlement.
Adding insult to injury, recent revelations highlight the involvement of individuals with dubious backgrounds in the company’s leadership.
Moreover, the lack of transparency in the bidding process raises serious doubts about the integrity of the selection criteria.
Who were the contenders for this project, and was the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) involved in the evaluation process?
How did a dormant UK firm with a paltry bank balance emerge as the preferred choice for such a significant undertaking?
Examining the roster of directors within the company unveils a troubling revelation: one of the recent 2023 directors happens to be a former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. This fact alone speaks volumes about the dubious nature of the company’s leadership.
The timing of the inclusion of all the Yoruba names in the company coincides suspiciously with recent developments, with each individual joining between last year and now.
As Nigerians, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to such blatant disregard for accountability and good governance.
The mismanagement of public funds not only undermines economic development but also perpetuates inequality and stifles progress.
It is imperative that we demand answers and hold those responsible for this egregious act of corruption accountable.
In the face of mounting evidence pointing to systemic corruption within the government, we must unite in condemning these actions and advocating for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
The future of our nation depends on it.
It’s unending, the depth is beyond our imagination🤦♀️
©Jackson Ude
