NGO Wants Probe Of NAPEP Contract Scam

The African Poverty and Hunger Relief Initiative (APHRI)— an NGO— on Friday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged misappropriation of N2.4 billion “Keke NAPEP” fund.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Mr Daodu Adesoji, APHRI spokesperson, said that the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in May 2007 awarded a N2.4 billion contract to Autobahn Techniques to supply 5000 Piaggio tricycles.

Another N150 million contract was also awarded to Autobahn for the supply of spare parts for the Piaggio tricycles, said the APHRI spokesman.

According to him, the tricycles were meant for distribution to Keke Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (KORAN) as part of the Federal Government’s poverty eradication programme.

The APHRI alleged that Autobahn only supplied 500 Piaggio tricycles one year after receiving full payment for the contract.

“After much pressure from NAPEP and KORAN leadership, Autobahn later supplied 3160 substandard ATUL tricycles instead of Piaggio tricycles in the contract”, Adesoji said.

“With a view to maximising its profit under the guise of adding local content, the 3190 ATUL tricycle supplied is unserviceable to Nigerian tricycle auto mechanic”, Adesoji said.

The NGO accused NAPEP of negligence by failing to supervise the procurement of the tricycles which resulted in the fraud.

“Surprisingly, 1310 tricycles with the value of N689.5m still remains to be supplied by Autobahn”, said the APHRI spokesman

He called on relevant government agencies to investigate the alleged misappropriation of the N2.4 billion “Keke NAPEP fund.