Why we awarded waterways contract to Tompolo – FG

The Federal Government, yesterday, explained that the Strategic Concessioning of the nation’s waterways to Global West Vessel Specialist Agency, GWVSA, by  Nigerian Maritime Administration and  Safety Agency, NIMASA, has not in anyway displaced the Nigerian Navy from performing its statutory security roles on the nation’s territorial waters.
The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, told journalists in Abuja, that contrary to speculations in many quarters, GWVSA would only provide platforms, security boats, equipment and expertise to help in securing the nation’s waterways and thereby raise revenue and that its staff will not bear arms.
Besides, he disclosed that the company, said to be owned by ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (aka Tompolo) would provide the entire $103 million investment and would only get paid after surpassing NIMASA’s annual revenue collection profile.
His words: “Under the MIMASA (Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency) Act  it is empowered to take charge of administration and the safety of our waters.
“And under the same Act, NIMASA has been empowered to carry out its functions, duties and responsibilities under the Act either by itself or through any institution of the government or any agency of government or in partnership with any institution of government or in partnership with any agency of government or through or in partnership with any natural person on limited liability company like the Global Ways Limited which has now entered into partnership with NIMASA.
“The mandate of that company in the country and the functions under the terms of the contract is to provide platforms, equipment and expertise to ensure the safety of the waters.
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