Reps to stop power contract with Siemens

Bola Badmus, Abuja - 21.08.2008

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua-led administration with four German companies, including Siemens, in order to boost power supplies may be revoked as the House of Representatives may be forced to compel the government to refuse awarding any power contracts to Siemens in particular.

According to records, Siemens got blacklisted by the Federal Government on December 6, 2007 sequel to the indictment by the German Court.

The court also fined the company for bribing Nigerian, Russian and Libyan government officials to secure telecommunication contracts.

A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dino Melaye, said giving the conviction of Siemens by a German court on fraud charges, it was too early to do business with the company.

The lawmaker made the declaration at a news conference he addressed at the National Assembly complex, saying “for Federal Government to instantaneously revert its decision and do business with a corrupt company like Siemens is making a mess of the fight against corruption.”

Melaye, who was representing Kaba, Bunu and Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State, vowed that he would move a motion on the floor of the House to stop President Yar ‘Adua from signing any power contracts with Siemens when the House resumed from their recess.

He said he was consulting with members on the need to stop President Yar’ Adua on giving approval to the contracts, even as he recalled that Yar’ Adua was a listening president, citing the issue of Niger Delta summit and the withdrawal of revenue sharing formula.