Alleged wrongdoing in contract award: REA CEO Salihijo reacts, makes clarifications

Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, the director-general and chief executive officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has denied allegation that bothers on “breach of contract code”, raised by Donnington Nigeria Limited.

Telescope.ng reports that while responding to a petition to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by the firm, Salihijo denied any wrongdoing.

It was gathered that the allegation had claimed that the MD/CEO, was a director in Velocity Logistics and Marine Services Ltd (Velocity) while equally serving as the MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency.

Giving clarification on the issue, Salihijo, said: “It became necessary to respond to this claim as it is untrue and defamatory. For the sake of clarity, I want to emphasize that my employment history had been thoroughly vetted and approved by the appropriate authorities, upon my assumption to the role of MD/CEO at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on the 29th of December, 2019.”

He further stated: “Prior to taking on this critical role at the Agency, I had been in the private sector and had equally relinquished my position as one of the Directors of Velocity as far back as 25th of April, 2019, long before I was appointed MD/CEO of the REA.”

These details, he affirmed, are accessible and available at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

In addition, he said, as an administrator committed to serving while upholding the mandate of the Agency, he acted with the highest ethical standards and has never engaged in any behaviour conflict with the interest of my position as the MD/CEO of REA.

Salihijo noted: “I am in no way privy to any and all business dealings between Donnington Nigeria Limited and Velocity as I have had no connection whatsoever with Velocity since the 25th of April, 2019. It is unfortunate that this publication was made and directed to harm my reputation, and defame my character and that of the agency I lead.

“I hereby demand that, the publisher and the petitioner retract this unfounded allegation, publish a rejoinder to set the records straight, and desist from further defamatory publications.“