Firm suspends AGM over ‘social media chat’
NBET boss not highhanded –Spokesperson
By Patrick Andrew
Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has summoned the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Marlyn Amobi, to make some clarification on some financial dealings within the company.
Although the letter was not specific, Blueprint gathered that she may have been invited, among others, in connection with “the power’s firm deployment of N650 million for office partitioning as well as conversion of N75 million meant for operational vehicles (field) for the purchase of two jeeps for her personal use.”
In a letter dated April 27, 2017, directing the MD to report to the Head, Advance Fee Fraud on May 5, the EFCC said “the office is investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you has become imperative.”
Blueprint had exclusively reported in its April 7, 2017 edition, that NBET may have abused the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) due process by procuring ‘Certificate of No Objection’ for selective tendering for architectural designs and partitioning of the office space ahead of the appropriation of the 2017 Budget.”
It went further to allocate an over bloated estimate of N650 million for architectural designs and partitioning of the two-floor office space located at the Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN) building at the Central Business District, Abuja.
The action grossly violated the BPP Act 2017 which mandated all federal government agencies to adopt open tender for all government related contracts, failure of which amounts to violation of procurement procedures and criminalised procurement of the certificate before appropriation.
Accordingly, the BPP Act 16 (1b-d) to wit: “Based only on procurement plans supported by prior budgetary appropriations and no procurement proceedings shall be formalised until the procuring entity has ensured that funds are available to meet the obligations and subject to the threshold in the regulations made by the Bureau, has obtained a “Certificate of ‘No Objection’ to Contract Award” from the Bureau.
“(c) By open competitive bidding, and (d) ‘in a manner which is transparent, timely, equitable for ensuring accountability and conformity with this Act and regulations deriving there from.”’
Apart from alleged financial impropriety, dependable sources within the firm, said there is disquiet in the NBET over Amobi’s alleged high handedness, harassment and victimisation of staff who dare to express reservations over her unethical ways of handling matters.
Besides, some staff members claimed that since assuming office in August 2016, the Managing Director had been in the habit of awarding contracts to her stooges, conversion of foreign currencies at black market rate on official transactions and suspending senior officers for raising eye-brow over her conduct.
One of the sources who craved anonymity, said: “When she resumed in August 2016, she had barely settled down when she began to fight the Chief Finance Officer, claiming that the officer was not cooperating with her. This may have forced most of the executive management staff into silence. The latest now is that she has gone against the BPP by going ahead to pay for a discreet consultancy services.
“With the initial success and intimidation of senior personnel, the MD began to railroad all staff at every turn and accused them of insubordination. She makes some staff edgy and helpless every time she addresses them.”
For instance, Amobi was said to have suspended the power firm’s Chief Regulatory Officer- an Assistant General Manager (AGM), Demvihin Tsumba, for alleged social media conversation which she felt was unethical.
The AGM, who was suspended after being detained for more than 48 hours at the Area 10 police station, was only granted bail following a separate written complaint from a senior staff, Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa.
According to our source, the arrest, detention and suspension were all at the instance of the Managing Director.
However, in a swift reaction yesterday, the Head, Communication, Henrietta Igomore, dismissed allegation of highhandedness, claiming that Amobi “runs an open door administration that encourages all cadres of staff to express their feelings during the general staff meetings.”
“Allegation of highhandedness is unfounded. I am not aware of any high handedness in this organisation. We run an open-door organisation that encourages all staff to express their views. We call it parley,” she said, stressing that Amobi “relates freely with all staff.”
While admitting that the NBET boss was invited by the EFCC over certain activities within the company, the company’s image maker added that she had gladly honoured the invitation.
According to her, the invitation had to do with inquiries on activities of the previous administration that had nothing to do with the present management.
Also, she confirmed the suspension of an AGM but washed the hands of the NBET off travails of the suspended staff.
“Yes, she is under EFCC investigation. However, I am unable to make public what the issues are,” she stated, adding that NBET was focused on meeting its legal function to the public.
