FOLLOWING an investigation published by The ICIR uncovering a multi-billion-naira worth of abandoned fire trucks at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the Editorial Board of the Thisday Newspaper on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to revisit the neglected project.
In its editorial titled: ‘The Abandoned Fire Trucks’, the national daily demanded that “everything should be done to ensure the trucks are put into use”.
It was published on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
The ICIR, after a six-month in-depth investigation, had earlier exposed the process detailing the trucks’ procurement, the lackadaisical attitude of the government officials, whose responsibilities are to utilise the fire trucks years after it was procured.
The investigation also highlighted that the contractor who supplied the trucks was yet to be paid, as revealed by a top official from the sports ministry.
Regardless, research showed the trucks already lasted almost two decades at the same spot, with the tyres deflated and colours faded.
On ground findings also revealed the trucks were parked adjacent to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the nation’s football body, but the rots still linger.
At least three Ministers of Sports had witnessed the wastage, including the incumbent Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, but nothing significant appeared to have been done.
“The story of these trucks, that have become monuments to the waste, largely defines public conduct in Nigeria,” the editorial read in part.
“We commend the ICIR for the detailed report. But this is a shameful, almost criminal, neglect that deserves immediate intervention by relevant authorities.
“In a nation where many lives and property worth billions of Naira are being lost almost on daily basis to incessant fire outbreaks, not a few Nigerians would have wished that these trucks be overhauled and deployed for use where they are desperately needed.
“Whatever the situation, the federal government must find a closure to this disturbing saga. At the very least, the Federal Fire Service should be invited to take custody of the fire trucks to see if they can still be put to any use.”
Meanwhile, this is not the first time The ICIR would expose the rots, abandoned projects awarded by private entities and the State and Federal Governments. Some projects were captured under the Constituency or Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP), which ultimately drew the attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at [email protected]. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin