The House of Representatives Committee on Public Asset and Special Duties has given the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) a seven-day ultimatum to provide all necessary documentation related to its Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) deals. The committee, led by Chairman Ademorin Kuye, issued the directive during a public hearing aimed at investigating the performance of the NRC’s PPP programs, concessions, and leases.
Kuye expressed dissatisfaction with the NRC’s failure to submit the requested documents in previous communications, stressing the need for transparency. The committee is particularly concerned with documents pertaining to PPP agreements, including their commencement dates, and any related assets, concessions, and lease agreements. The NRC management has also been instructed to provide evidence of remittances to the Special Concession Account and detailed income profiles from these partnerships.
Additionally, the committee requested the NRC to present proof of advertisements related to PPPs, concessions, and leases, along with records of public expressions of interest in the leases. This request follows growing concerns regarding the proper handling and transparency of the corporation’s dealings with private partners.
Another issue raised during the hearing was a viral video showing unidentified individuals removing facilities from a train station. The committee has demanded the NRC provide detailed information and documentation regarding this incident, adding to the list of records required from the corporation.
The seven-day deadline for submission underscores the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and thorough oversight of the NRC’s operations, particularly concerning its partnership arrangements.
