Tijjani Aliyu Usman
Our attention has been drawn to the above publication which would have otherwise been ignored but seeing the enormity of grave allegations with intent at dragging to the mud the name a reputation organization and people of proven integrity.
What the writer succeeded is exposing the fact that fraudulent officers at the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) sponsored the write up using a bogey name, the reason for that assertion is that the said Moh’d Sule should have an address or at least a realistic telephone number. However, since frivolous allegations are levelled against the company under attack, it is important to mention for a fact that Havage Engineering Services being an internationally acclaimed company of repute have partnered with the Nigerian state to bring development through execution of world class projects.
The litany of projects speak for themselves no wonder Engr. Danladi Ebbah the Managing director of this company won many laurels within and outside the shores of this country. One then wonders why people who do not wish our country well will make such attempts to tarnish the image of people who deserve to be celebrated. It is also a thing of concern that the same people who masterminded the write up know deep within their hearts that no amount of smear campaign or campaign of calumny will bring Engr. Charles down because the general public if interested can ask at the UBRDA the antecedent tract record of this amiable engineer.
Suffice to say, why the sudden interest to drag private personalities to the court of public opinion? Is it because of acrimony arising from the inability of the authorities of the UBRDA to pay Havage monies due to it. The writer of that article should have been fair to his readers that the authorities recently sued the company over frivolous claims in order to justify illegally withholding of payments due the company, and having their petition dismissed for lack of merit now want to shift from the courtroom to that of public opinion. The writer should have been clear to the general public that their claim of forgery of a concrete test result cannot be taken with a pinch of salt because ab initio, the contact agreement has no concrete test as a pre-requisite, therefore chasing shadows will not bring succour to their plight.
The reason they gave in the court for withdrawing Havage from site was that EFCC was investigating the company and when asked to produce evidence they brought out a received stamped letter of their petition to the EFCC, this fool hardy act is indicative of desperation to at all cost achieve unachievable tasks. It is also note-worthy that their voyage in a Nigerian court yielded a negative result but their level of desperation made them not to lay the matter to rest.
For a fact if there is anybody the DSS should accost, it should be the engineers of the nefarious article because they are misleading the public with lies and half-truths. Their golden opportunity to commission this one project was scuttled by them through stoppage of payments instituting court actions and making nefarious claims. their action has not only cost the people of Chanchangi a setback but also cost the Nigerian state because if the project is subsequently allows to continue, inflation will take its toll on cost of completion.
We know as well that corruption always fights back and we are not surprised that after many years of duping the Federal Government and the Nigerian people through phantom projects and creation of drain pipes for the nation’s commonwealth, attention should have been given to returning the funds so diverted instead of smears to law abiding citizens. I will therefore advise all involved to refrain from such dastardly acts and desist from using faceless people to achieve unattainable goals.
. Tijjani Aliyu Usman
Lives in Yola and can be reached through:
0703 542 9880