Reps visits invaded property over contract breach by airforce

By Henry Omunu

*As Blue Boulevard decry N3bn loan from First Bank 

The House of Representatives joint Committees on Airforce and Justice has embarked on an oversight  function to carry out an on the spot assessment on the alleged excessive use of force by the Nigerian Airforce Property against Blue Boulevard Nigeria Limited 

This is coming months after the House had in a petition by Blue Boulevard promised to wade into the matter to see that issues are resolved amicably by parties involved

The company is accusing the Nigeria Airforce Property of using  excessive force and military might against it and reneging on a contractual agreement they had to build a shopping mall at the Mami Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The tour had the presence of both parties with the House committee demanding for the bid of quantity, engineering drawing and joint evaluation report  to be tendered.

Speaking during the assessment tour, the leader of the House delegation, Rep. Dekor Robinson promised to be fair and transparent in their report 

He said that “‘the reason why we are here is to visit the site and this is in furtherance of duties as it affects this particular investigation as it affects the house. 

“Whatever we are going to do here will form part of our report to be submitted to plenary.

So, what we expect from you is to give us the best cooperation so that we can address this issue and have a permanent resolution to this particular problem

“Our mission here is mere fact-finding; so l crave your indulgence to give us the best in terms of contributions.

After the inspection i  will expect we also sit briefly to address one or two issues before we depart.”

Managing Director of Blue Boulevard, Peter Osunde informed the House joint committee that 640 shops for cluster one are all sold out with occupancy rate of about 20 per cent

He said that “when things were rosy, we sell a shop for N5million per, but today in order to keep the venture going we sell a shop at N250, 000 for 20 years

”In total we have three clusters of total shops of 2, 000. Cluster one is one hundred per cent finished, occupied and paid for.

Cluster two has 860 shops of which 430 are finished and 430 are 70 per cent completed.

Where we stopped was when we were invaded and made to stop while cluster three is 500 shops with 50 per cent done.” 

However, Managing Director NAF Property,  Air Vice Marshal Bagari said the clusters does not represent completion. 

He said at the point of agreement, the completion of the project is the point that is tenatable, adding that “we didn’t expect that anyone renting this place will rent a carcass in order to complete it will all facilities in place.”