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Last Updated: Sep 5, 2008 - 11:01:34 AM |
The success
story or otherwise of the sector is closely linked to Siemens over the
years. There is therefore no doubting the fact that Siemens has
significantly contributed to the development of the sector of the
country particularly in providing the basic infrastructure of NITEL’s
land line and much later MTEL’s mobile networks.
Going by the long time relationship and monopoly of the sector by
Siemens one will not be wrong to say that a number of factors must have
influenced this position. One of the key factors that had ensured the
monopoly is the fact that Siemens and Germany have been adjudged to be
corruption friendly company and nation respectively.
Nigerians were therefore not shocked with the revelation in 2007 that
Siemens had bribed some top Nigerian government officials among which
were a federal minister, a Senator and some other government officials.
Siemens as the major contractor to the national telecommunications
company, NITEL and MTEL has admitted to bribing a former Nigeria’s
Minister, Senator Jubril Aminu and some other top federal government
officials with a view to further monopolizing the sector and also
covering their numerous shady deals in the country.
As soon as the bribery scandal was exposed and investigations conducted
by the German authorities, a German court had indicted Siemens and
sentenced its top Executives to various terms of imprisonment for
bribing Nigerian officials including Senator Jubril Aminu to the tune
of 1.3billion Euros. Consequently, the then Nigerian government under
the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked the Siemens
contract in question and blacklisted the company for the bribery
scandal.
Regrettably, the Yar’adua administration whose much touted and over
publicized seven point agenda among others includes due process,
respect for rule of law and above all, its resolve to fight corruption
have all been thrown to the dogs. This is particularly so as regards
its recent un- banning of Siemens from Nigeria’s telecommunications
scene despite the Company’s conviction due to unethical and corrupt
business practices in the country. Siemens was also fined for the
bribery scandal. It is also on record that Siemens was found to be
involved in offering bribes to government officials in Libya and Russia
in order to influence the securing of some telecommunications contracts
I those countries.
Furthermore, Yar’adua has rewarded Siemens with a new power contract
worth billions of dollars. Under a new partnership with the company
that was blacklisted by its predecessor as the lead firm. The Yar’adua
government had recently signed a contract for the construction of three
new turbines and waste recovery, boilers/steam turbines at Geregu due
for completion on or before 2011 and 2014 respectively.
There is no doubt that at a time when government was all out to stamp
out corruption in the society, Nigerians are certainly left in doubt as
to the sincerity of this fight by the Yar’adua administration that is
battling hard to gain legitimacy.
Unsatisfied with the snail speed of investigations into the allegation
of Senator Jubril Aminu’s involvement and final indictment by Siemens
in the bribery allegation by the anti corruption agency, ICPC, the
Yar’adua administration recently asked it to hands-off the case and
transfer the case file to EFCC for its prompt intervention and
continuation of investigation and possible prosecution.
However, the federal government in its style of being supportive and
against the fight of corruption, pardoned the German company, Siemens
and went further to reward it with a multi billion dollar power
contract as part of its intervention measures in the power sector.
Even a member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye said: “it
is too early for Nigeria to do business with Siemens. If it is other
arms of government that do this kind of thing they will be accused of
taking bribes”. He added ‘it is unfortunate that government like ours
that is campaigning against corruption will now accommodate a globally
known corrupt company that has been indicted by a court of competent
jurisdiction in its home country’. It is our hope that EFCC will now do
a thorough job and do justice to yet another high profile bribery
scandal that involves a sitting Senator Jubril Aminu who also chairs
the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs. The war against corruption
must not have sacred cows. All must be treated equally.
Source:Ocnus.net 2008
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