Ex-Lawmaker Petitions EFCC to Probe NCDMB Investment

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Israel Sunny- Goli, has petitioned the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe multi-million naira investments done by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

 Sunny- Goli, who represented Nembe/ Brass federal constituency in the ninth   Assembly, said he is calling for a ‘’thorough investigation and possible prosecution as it relates to the disbursement of funds for the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, as well as the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited.”

The former lawmaker, who said all the projects are situated within the precinct of Brass Local Government Area, noted that the investments were undertaken during the tenure of the immediate-past Executive Secretary of the Board, Simbi Kesiye Wabote.

According to him, NCDMB total equity of $200million was contributed for the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Limited project, which was conceived to establish two trains of 5,000MTPD methanol plants and one train of 500Mscf per day processing plant and associated infrastructure to be sited in Odioma, Brass Island, Bayelsa State.

For the Atlantic Refinery project, he disclosed that the full investment of $35million was made for the project, which was expected to be a 2,000 bdp modular refinery with a jetty facility and a 2MW power plant and a duration of 24 months completion at the Brass Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

Sunny- Goli stated further in his petition that also included for probe is the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited which NCDMB’s investment was for the establishment of a 50 million-litre facility with a two-way product jetty, automated storage tanks and loading bay in Brass Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.

He expressed sadness that the current state of the three projects is nothing to write home about as it is now surrounded by uncertainty and a sense of gloom.

Sunny-Goli pointed out that the projects are well-meaning and could provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and also increase the revenue of government.

According to him, “To ensure that our great nation is not shortchanged, and our teeming unemployed youths denied gainful employment opportunities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, I hereby request that your commission immediately institute a thorough investigation into the projects listed above and prosecute without delay anyone found culpable in the event of misappropriation of funds.”