Society Gists

The Senate Committee on Navy has resolved to investigate the circumstances surrounding the purported procurement of a N5 billion controversial yacht by the Nigerian Navy.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting by his committee and other critical stakeholders.

Daniel, who is also a former governor of Ogun State, said the investigative panel are expected to give their report within one week.

According to him, the constitution of the committee was imperative in view of the widespread controversy generated by the purchase of the yacht by the Nigerian Navy.

The 2023 supplementary budget, which was recently approved by the Senate following a presentation by President Bola Tinubu, had proposed the sum of N5.095 billion for the purchase of a controversial yacht under the capital expenditure of the Nigerian Navy.

It was also reported that the yacht, which is an operational boat with specialised security gadgets, was ordered by the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senator Daniel, however, told newsmen that the Senate Committee had embarked on the process of unraveling the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the equipment.

He said, “Following the controversy generated by the purported procurement of the controversial yacht, the Senate has resolved to constitute a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the vessel.

“The investigative panel is expected to report its findings within the next one week.

“The investigation is imperative and inevitable in view of the claims and counter-claims over the issue. From the preliminary facts available, the yacht was ordered by the previous administration and delivered, though not yet paid for. The procurement without the National Assembly’approval has equally raised eyebrows in certain quarters.

“However, as part of our parliamentary oversight, the Senate will look into the issues and quiz all the parties involved with a view to preventing reoccurrence in our governance system.”

Meanwhile the Senate Committee is also expected to begin a tour of naval facilities nationwide, while emphasising the need for improved funding for the Nigerian Navy to be able to perform their critical role in the nation’s security and economic sectors.

The Committee further expressed commitment towards improving the welfare of naval personnel and veterans; promoting the modernization of the Nigerian Navy’s fleet to enhance their operational capabilities and pushing for naval research and development agency.