House of Reps Raises Alarm Over Loan Clause Conceding Nigeria’s Sovereignty To China

Date: 29-07-2020 11:45 am (3 years ago) | Author: CLARA JANCITA
- at 29-07-2020 11:45 AM (3 years ago)
(f)


The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over clauses in Article 8(1) of the commercial loan agreement signed between Nigeria and Export-Import Bank of China, which allegedly concedes sovereignty of Nigeria to China in the $400 million loan for the Nigeria National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Backbone Phase II Project, signed in 2018.

The controversial clause in the agreement signed by Federal Ministry of Finance (Borrower) on behalf of Nigeria and the Export-Import Bank of China (Lender) on September 5, 2018, provides that:
Quote
“The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any immunity on the grounds of sovereign or otherwise for itself or its property in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to Article 8(5), thereof with the enforcement of any arbitral award pursuant thereto, except for the military assets and diplomatic assets.”

Consequently, the House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Communication, Ali Isa Pantani; and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, ThisDay writes.

The ministers are expected to provide answers on $500 million loan to be sourced from the Export-Import Bank of China for railway lines in the country.

Also summoned is the director general of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha.

They are also to provide details on the agreement signed between the federal ministry of transport and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in respect of some railway projects in the country.

The projects involved are the Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Kaduna and Kaduna-Kano railways lines.

Meanwhile, Amaechi has warned that the Chinese authorities may not sign the $5.3 billion Ibadan-Kano rail line loan if the lawmakers continue to investigate the agreement.

Chairman of the House committee on Treaties, Protocol and Agreements, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai issued the summons yesterday at the public hearing with MDAs on review of Nigeria’s bilateral loan agreement.

Ossai said they are expected to appear on August 17, unfailingly with details of the contracts concerned.

He said,
Quote
“The House would need details on the agreement between the federal ministry of transport and ZTE (Nig) Ltd in respect of the provision of community actions and signaling equipment for the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri line. Also, the ministers are to provide details of the agreement between federal ministry of transport and the China Railway Construction Company International (CRCCI) in respect of the Itakoe-Abuja line/ New Port in Warri project.’’

The Committee raised alarm over alleged waiver of Nigeria’s sovereignty in the government concessions agreement on Nigeria National Information and communication technology infrastructure backbone phase II project between the government of Nigeria, represented by the Federal Ministry of Finance(borrower) and the Export-Import Bank of China (lender) dated September 5, 2018.

The Committee cited Article 8(1) of the agreement, which states that
Quote
“the borrower hereby irrevocably waives any immunity on the grounds of sovereign or otherwise for itself or its property in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to Article 8(5), thereof with the enforcement of any arbitral award pursuant thereto, except for the military assets and diplomatic assets”.
But in his presentation, Amaechi said the loan being sourced by his ministry is a total of $500 million to complete the Lagos -Ibadan railway line, which he put at a total of $849 million, with $349 million as counterpart funding.

He explained that because China, which is giving the loan is sensitive and monitoring happenings in Nigeria, the House committee might wish to give him till end of December when all the loan would have been received.

Amaechi argued that the constant investigations by the National Assembly might give the impression that a part of the government does not approve of the loan and the Chinese government may withdraw the loan.

He appealed to the committee to consider national interest in carrying out their oversight function.

Quote
“My fear is that if this probe continues, at the end of the day, some sections of the country may suffer. In oversighting, there is what is called national interest. But in asking questions on these loans now, it may jeopardize these loans. The Lagos- Ibadan is not completed; the Ibadan- Kano is not completed.

“Let the government of China not say there is a disagreement in government on this loan and so we will not give this loan. So, I appeal to the chairman to give us from now till December, when we are likely to secure the loans. Then, from January, February, you can resume this investigation.”
However, Amaechi’s plea was not taken as the Committee Chairman insisted that the minister should return to the committee on August 17 with other ministers to give details of the contract agreements.


Posted: at 29-07-2020 11:45 AM (3 years ago) | Hero
- Sameola1 at 29-07-2020 01:05 PM (3 years ago)
(m)
The scale is beginning to fall off
Posted: at 29-07-2020 01:05 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- taypetdun at 29-07-2020 02:37 PM (3 years ago)
(m)
You people have sold Nigeria, signing agreement written in Chinese language. This is how we lost Bakassi, exposing your ignorance. Approving everything that comes to the house because the government in power has paid for its approval. You can see what bribery and corruption have caused. That is why you see Chinese in every nook and cranny of Nigeria searching for mineral resources. They know what their doing by granting you people loan. Ask yourselves,is China richer than Nigeria? Sovereignty of Bakassi to Cameroon while the remaining Nigerians to China
Posted: at 29-07-2020 02:37 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- mgiwa6 at 29-07-2020 03:39 PM (3 years ago)
(m)
The agreement will be annulled when mature and intelligent people take over the running of the country.
Posted: at 29-07-2020 03:39 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- Wazubia at 29-07-2020 04:09 PM (3 years ago)
(m)
 Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
Posted: at 29-07-2020 04:09 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- Baye77 at 29-07-2020 08:55 PM (3 years ago)
(m)
Quote from: mgiwa6 on 29-07-2020 03:39 PM
The agreement will be annulled when mature and intelligent people take over the running of the country.
LoL..please who are these people? Saraki and Wike them abi? Atiku and Edwin Clark abi? You mean the same people that were ruling us before these ones take over abi?? I swear u r funny. My brother, if at this stage u still believe there is any difference between APC and PDP, then sincerely I pity u.
Posted: at 29-07-2020 08:55 PM (3 years ago) | Hero
Reply

fire TRENDING GISTS fire

TODAY'S TOP
  1. See Remarkable Transformation Of Nigerian Couple That Wows Many

  2. World Cup Kiss Scandal: Disgraced Spanish FA Chief, Luis Rubiales Facing 2.5 Years In Prison

  3. BREAKING: Military Declares Professor, Woman, Others Wanted Over Soldiers’ Killing In Delta

  4. Comedian, Seyi Law And Wife Celebrate 13th Wedding Anniversary With Romantic Photos

  5. Pres. Tinubu Offers Slain Soldiers’ Children Scholarships

  6. Adesua Etomi Pens Romantic Birthday Message To Husband, Banky W On His Birthday

  7. VIDEO: Actress, Toyin Abraham Reunites With Senior Collogue, Bukky Wright

  8. Labour Party Offers Peter Obi 2027 Presidential Ticket Unopposed

  9. Proud Father Of 5 Daughters Hails Natural Skin Color Of His Daughter Without Glowing Cream

  10. Air Peace Boss, Onyeoma Says Earning N200k Salary In Nigeria Is Better Than £2000 In The UK


THIS WEEK
  1. Russia President Putin Shocks Many As He Announces That Jesus And Mary Were Black

  2. Ex Chelsea Star, Geremi Njitap Files For Divorce After DNA Reveal He Isn't Father Of Their Twin

  3. VIDEO: Nigerian-Born UFC Fighter, Israel Adesanya Launches Real Estates Business In New Zealand

  4. Netizens React To Influencer, Enioluwa’s Alleged Leaked S*x Tape

  5. "He Must Have Range Rover, Benz, BMW, At Least ₦100m” - Lady Sets Standards For Suitors (Video)

  6. Kim Kardashian Finally Opens Up On Why She Divorced Kanye West

  7. “Stay Clear Of Verydarkman Matter” – Samklef Issues Warning To Davido

  8. 'Nigeria Will Be Consumed If Kanu Dies In Custody' – IPOB Warns

  9. Selena Gomez Shares Sexy Photo As She Put On A Very BUsty Display

  10. Man Videos Himself Taking His Own Life on Facebook Because His Girlfriend Cheated on Him


TOP MEMBERS: