Okonjo-Iweala: Forensic Experts will Examine NNPC’s Accounts for Missing $20bn

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala revealed yesterday that the Federal Government will hire forensic experts to examine the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in order to confirm whether or not it failed to remit oil revenues to the Federation Account, as alleged by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

 

The minister disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja after appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance which is investigating the alleged unremitted fund.

 

At last week’s Senate public hearing, the CBN Governor stated that records showed that the total amount generated from crude oil sales was $67.8 billion, but the records of remittance to the Federation Account by the NNPC was $47.8 billion – a shortfall of $20 billion still unaccounted for.

 

"We have decided to let the forensic auditors examine the accounts (of the NNPC) and let Nigerians fully know what is going on,” Dr Okonjo-Iweala said. "What the NNPC submitted was a mountain of documents on shipping, loading, when ships arrived and all that. It requires specialized forensic auditors to work on it".

 

She added that "We asked both the NNPC and the PPPRA to produce their documents and they had produced certified copies for the $10.8bn and we have asked for an independent audit. A lot of accusations are being made in this country and the only way to be satisfied is to have an independent audit."

 

The Group Managing-Director of NNPC Andrew Yakubu said that none of the subsidy fund was missing, and explained that CBN were aware of the outstanding amount and the issues relating to its non-realization.

 

According to him, unpaid amount on petroleum products was $8.76 billion; crude oil and product losses was $0. 76 billion, $0.46 billion was for national strategic reserve holding, while pipeline maintenance and management cost $0.91 billion.

 

"We don't have any problem with forensic audit...We are happy for anybody to come in and look at it, but the question is what value is it going to bring because we have gone through these things over and over, but all the same we have no problem."

President Finally Sacks Oduah and three other Ministers

President Goodluck Jonathan has finally sacked the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, after months of procrastination following the scandal over the minister’s purchase of two bulletproof BMW cars costing N255 million, and more recently a disputed Masters Degree qualification from a US college she allegedly never received.

Three other ministers also fired in the cabinet reshuffle were the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe and Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama.

The President had also fired his Chief of Staff, Mike Ogiadomhe on Monday, and a source revealed that the President was putting his affairs in order in light of the looming elections next year. “The objective is to replace them with those who can deliver and reset the tone of his presidency as the elections loom,” the source said.

However the Minister of Information, Labaran Maka whilst speaking to reporters yesterday stated that the ministers were released so that they could pursue their political aspirations.

Ngama, Olubolade and Orubebe have previously expressed their desire to run for the governorship in their respective states of Yobe, Ekiti and Delta.

Maku said that in the interim, the Minister of State for the FCT, Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide, will oversee the Police Affairs Ministry, while Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Trade and Investment, will preside over the Ministry of Aviation.

FCTA Raids Red Light Districts in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has arrested over 30 alleged commercial sex workers during a raid of sex workers’ operation areas in Abuja.

The raid was carried out recently by a joint task force of departments under the FCTA including the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), the Social Development Secretariat, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other mandate secretariats.

Speaking to journalists after the exercise, the coordinator of AMMC, Arch. Reuben Okoya, said they will take drastic action against hotel owners and residents that condone and harbour sex workers.

The coordinator of the Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria, Mrs Grace Adogo, warned offenders to stay off the streets. “Don’t constitute yourself into a nuisance in the FCT,” she said. “Whichever way you want to carry out your business is your business but once you’re out on the street it’s already an offence because FCTA has zero tolerance to street hawking of whatever form.”

AMAC Seeks Support for Karu Market Traders

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has asked the Karu market relocation committee to liaise with traders in the market in order to adequately address their needs and to further expand the scale of business activities in the market.

The Chairman of the council, Hon. Micah Jiba, made the appeal yesterday in Abuja while addressing the committee, and Hon. Ojo Olumayowa, the councillor for special duties urged members of the Karu market relocation committee to come up with a workable framework to ensure that market’s traders are able to continue in their businesses.

 

He added that the focus of the committee should be on the welfare of the traders already doing business in the market as they are the life wire of the community.

He assured that his administration will not relent in satisfying the needs of the people at all times.

Mpape Teen Sentenced to Three Weeks in Prison for Stealing Windows and Door

An 18 year old student, Shola Kolawole of Jikoko Village, Mpape was yesterday sentenced to three week in prison by the Abuja Magistrates' Court for stealing two windows and a door. 

Kolawole had pleaded guilty to the crime and the magistrate, Hauwa Aliyu, passed the sentence without the option of a fine.

The secondary school student told the court that he stole the windows and door because he needed money to pay for school fees and a new uniform.

"I asked my parents to give me money but they said they don't have. My father has many wives and children; he can barely cater for all of us. I didn't know where to go to. Have mercy on me ,I won't do it again,” he said.

The offence was reported by Stella Chikezie, who told police that the accused stole the items from her house in Ajegunle, Mpape in the FCT. Kolawole was apprehended by security guards in the area who stopped him when he tried to escape.

Jonathan Launches Industrial Revolution Plan

President Goodluck Jonathan has launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), aimed at starting a new phase of industrial development in Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja yesterday, President Jonathan described the NIRP as the most ambitious and comprehensive road map that would transform the nation’s industrial landscape, create new jobs, and conserve foreign exchange.

“The NIRP is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country,” he said.

He added that it is based on areas such as agriculture and agro-products, metals and solid minerals, oil and gas, construction and light manufacturing services, where the country has comparative advantage.

“The goal of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan” he stated further, “is to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP from the present 4% to more than 10% over the next five years. This will boost the annual revenue earnings of the Nigerian manufacturers by up to N5 trillion per annum.”

FCT Minister Considered for Chief of Staff

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, along with four other candidates are being considered by the Presidency for the role of Chief of Staff to the President, reports The Nation.

Others are former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, Proprietor of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Alhaji Hassan Tukur.

The report said though the President is yet to make up his mind on matter, a team of experts which the Presidency engaged in 2011 to evaluate the Office of the Chief of Staff has laid out some criteria for the position. It said a source revealed that “the President is seeking a United States model in managing the Office of the Chief of Staff. The next occupant will be heard less as the case with Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, who was the Chief of Staff to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

The last Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe was sacked on Monday by President Goodluck Jonathan.