The scrap mini buses brought into Eket for distribution to beneficiaries under the NNPC/MPN JV EMOIMEE HCDT-EKET had on August 22st, 2024 been inspected by a special team set up by the BOT and MC of the Trust in response to public outcry.
The inspection team found that the mini buses are so irredeemably bad, unserviceable and unfit for purpose.
A top official of DAARVE WEILS LTD, a company awarded contract to supply the mini buses is reported to have tried using his connections to stop the inspection. One wonders why attempt was made to stop the inspection of goods that have no problem and is fit for purpose as argued by the company.
However, in another development, supporters of the supplier who probably shared in the money both within the BOT and MC, and outside of it, are fighting hard to ensure the mini buses are not rejected by EMOIMEE. My perpetual question is, can they give such gift to their own children? If the mini buses were ordered for them, would they accept them in that condition and quality? It is believed that unfair profit from the contract had been shared among some BOT and MC members who were expected to cover up everything. They are still on it.
We shall follow up the matter and ensure that Eket people are supplied with good serviceable buses. The PIA items are meant to empower the people to escape poverty, but not to aggravate poverty. Imagine how beneficiaries will borrow money to repair those buses which will never perform, having already been scrapped before EMOIMEE acquired them through contractors.
It cannot be overemphasized the fact that the quality of the mini buses supplied, if allowed to be distributed, will throw recipients into untold hardship, as the buses are not fit for purpose.
Unlike propaganda sought to portary, I am not a beneficiary of the mini buses, so I am not fighting for myself but for the people. Even if I were fighting for myself there is nothing wrong with that. It would mean I am vegetative and helpless if I cannot stand up for my personal right.
I implore those in place to talk for the common good and common people to always do so. Silence is the greatest adversary of society. This is why Eket has gone so down.
The rebirth of Eket is every body’s business.
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MANFRED EKPE, Jr., LL.B (Hons) 22 Aug., 2024.
