There was confusion at the Federal Ministry of Transportation Headquarters on Wednesday as several Nigerians who have traveled to apply for“training as railway engineering in China” were left stranded and totally disappointed as they were told the memo was a scam.
Hundreds of young individuals and their parents who saw the advert on the social media platforms and traveled down to the ministry to submit applications were denied entrance by the ministry security personnel attached to the building.
After several hours of waiting with more people trooping in from virtually all parts of the country, the applicants got frustrated and started demanding a an explanation from the ministry officials.
One of the applicants who simply identified himself as Abdulmumin from Kano state said he and his colleagues have gone to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) along airport road where they said the interview was to hold and the officials there directed them to go and submit their applications to the transport ministry and come back on Thursday, 21st of May, 2018 for the interview.
He said “I came from Kano today, we were at the CCECC earlier and they (CCECC officials) asked us to come and submit our application at the transportation ministry here and then come for the interview on Thursday. But these people are not talking to us. No official statement since we have been here and we are not leaving until we get a response from them.
Another intending applicant, Obadole, an indigene of Imo state utterly expressed his disappointment and said that the ministry officials are trying to defraud Nigerians of what is their collective patrimony by trying to do this process secretly.
He said, “I have been here since Sunday, trying to compile my documents including the international passports and others. I came from Owerri, Imo state. What actually happened is that the ministry officials have refused to talk to us but when a woman identified as Mrs Abdurahman, she said there was nothing like that. And that the ministry is not aware of the advert.
“But unfortunately, another official of the ministry said the matter was not meant for the public. It was at this point that we realized that these people want to defraud Nigerians of what belong to all of us. This is injustice! He concluded.
To get a reaction from the ministry, newsmen proceeded to the Director of Press of the ministry, Mrs Yetunde Sonaike but her response was “No comment”.
When probed further if the ministry has any link with the advert, Sonaike said “I am not aware of the said advert, I just to know it today”.
When asked why no one has addressed the hundred of Nigerians outside waiting outside the ministry, she said “they have been addressed yesterday”.
To avoid further questioning, she said the ministry will release an official press statement to the effect.
Disregard the information, we know nothing about it – Ministry says
The ministry in a press release sent to our correspondent denied having knowledge or link with the advert on any railway engineering course in China urging the general public to disregard its content in its totality.
The release which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr S Zakari in a press release added that whoever transacts based on the advert does it on his or her own as ministry will never be responsible for whatever loss that arises.
The statement reads in part “It has come to the notice of the Management of the Federal Ministry of Transportation of a wide circulation on social media of a letter on sponsorship of candidates to China for Railway Engineering Course.
The general public is invited to note that the Ministry never placed any advertisement on sponsorship of candidates to China for Railway Engineering Course in the media (Radio/ Television / Print /Social Media); That the Ministry is not receiving any application for such training from the general public Therefore, the general public is advised to disregard any information being circulated for submission of such applications to the Ministry or any other person.
Anyone who transacts any business with regards to this does so at his/her own risk.
