Fraud: Contractors laments as Aminu Maida, NCC Vice Chairman gets N200million car, N93million housing allowance

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is currently experiencing astonishing corruption under the recently appointed Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, as agency executives insist on slurping kickbacks from contractors, according to SaharaReporters.

Top NCC sources told newsmem on Friday that Maida, who recently assumed leadership of the commission, appears to be at home with corrupt practices, as his Chief of Staff, identified only as Mr Ibrahim, acts as a “middleman” between him and the contractors.

According to another credible source, “a car was bought for N200million for the EVC and procurement was done in one day including award of contract and purchase” shortly after his resumption.

“He was also paid N93million in housing allowance, even before his confirmation.”

President Bola Tinubu appointed Aminu Maida as the NCC’s new Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) on October 11.

Tinubu’s appointment of Maida followed the resignation of the contentious EVC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who was accused of corruption.

Maida previously served as the Executive Director, Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).

On November 16, SaharaReporters also stated that the Nigerian Senate has accepted Maida’s appointment as NCC Executive Vice Chairman.

Some commission employees who have knowledge of the ongoing contract fraud have urged for an independent probe to reveal the rot in the NCC.

“Our investigation showed that staff close to the EVC went around summoning contractors to provide funds that will be used for the lobbying of senators to clear the EVC. The approval of many contractors who were successful in recent procurement tenders has been held back because they have not provided the kickbacks requested by NCC aides,” he said.

“We are disappointed that a “young man” was expected to come in and clean up the NCC, but instead, the situation seems to have worsened. The allegations also extend to payments for completed work. Contractors are being asked for money before their payments can be processed.”

Meanwhile, according to one of the affected contractors, the corruption at the NCC would have a significant impact on the telecommunications industry in Nigeria and affect the costs of services to Nigerians because the contractors also paid through their nose.

He said,

“This is a new low in NCC and some of us will call their bluff because we will not give them the money, we are not even sure if this young man is aware of this.”

“Aides of the EVC have been summoning contractors and demanding funds in exchange for favourable consideration in the bidding process. Those of us who refuse to comply with these demands are going to be denied contracts.”

Another NCC staff, speaking further with SaharaReporters, said, “Car was bought for N200million for the EVC and procurement was done in one day including award of contact and purchase. I have never seen where this money was appropriated for and if EFCC says we should produce “No Objection” from BPP, can they produce it?

“They tried changing the contractors selected during the tenders done before Danbatta left when they were advised not because it would constitute serious procurement crime, they now decided to conduct the Procurement Tenders Board but have refused to give contractors their letter of awards if they don’t commit to giving kickbacks and this is driven by the aide of EVC, Mr Ibrahim.”

“The EVC was also paid N93million in housing allowance before his confirmation.”

According to another insider source, the EVC allegedly planned to give the Minister of Communications N1billion for his (minister’s) training programme.

“Where is the money coming from? Has it been appropriated for? Are we now cchub or a regulatory body?” he queried.

(Credit: Sahara Reporters)