Reps move against commercialization of Navy led, by Shorefac Consortium Limited

House of Representatives has instructed the ministry of defence to halt all further arrangements on commercialisation of the Nigeria Navy by foreign groups, managed by Shorefac Consortium Limited

The House states that the Nigerian Navy, working together with Shorefac Consortium Limited of which has solid international affiliations will lead to unwarranted exposure of the country to foreign intrusion

House of Reps has also warned of a new cabal evolving in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

The Representatives has branded what it described as new cabals, whose main target is to steal and divert Nigeria’s crude oil and liquefied gas to international destinations.

According to Vanguard, So as to check the rise of the new cabal, the House in its determination, directed the ministry of defence to halt all further movements on commercialisation of the Nigeria Navy by foreign groups, led by Shorefac Consortium Limited.

The agreement made by the reps was as a result of a motion on matter of urgent public importance sponsored by Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, representing Egor/Ikoba-Okha Federal Constituency of Edo state.

Referring to the motion, Agbonayinma alleged that Shorefac Consortium Limited of which has a strong international association of trying to team up with the Nigerian Navy in commercializing the Maritime Services Department of the Navy

The motion claiming the emergence of the new cabal in the oil and gas sector states:

“On February 21, 2017, Shorefac Consortium Limited made a proposal of a business model to the Ministry of Defence that would deliver 100 fast boats to the Nigerian Navy, together with an offer of maintenance support, all at no cost to the government.

“Shorefac Consortium, in order to recoup its investments, would become a commercial partner to the Nigerian Navy in commercializing the Maritime Services Department of the Navy which would then be expected to provide security services at a cost to International Oil Companies and other owners and operators of offshore assets.

“Shorefac Consortium Limited has strong international affiliations, therefore, engaging such a company to collaborate with a key arm of the nation’s Armed Forces will amount to commercializing its core constitutional role and cause undue exposure of the country to foreign interference.

“Funding of the Armed Forces is the priority of the Federal Government, which must shield them from all manners of commercial ventures that could put the country’s security at risk.

“Commercialization of any sector of the Armed Forces would bring about profiteering that is devoid of allegiance to national causes, and ultimately erode the core military values of order and discipline as personnel would begin to compete to be part of the lucrative commercial business.”