President Jonathan Invites EFCC To Probe Subsidy Payments

After a week of total strike and street protests by millions of Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan has for once succumbed to the popular demand for a thorough probe Of subsidy payments in the oil sector as he has directed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate with immediate effect all payments made in respect of subsidy on petroleum products and to take necessary steps to prosecute any incidence of malfeasance, fraud, over-invoicing and related illegalities in an open and transparent manner.

A statement signed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke,and released to the media this evening said this is in clear response to the demands of Nigerians for better accountability and transparency in the oil industry which is in tandem with President Jonathan’s agenda.

In a letter dated January 12th and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, and which was received by the Commission on the 13th, the Minister said, “to now deepen my reforms and ensure that we root out all forms of corruption and abuse within the subsidy regime, I have sought and obtained the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan to formally invite the EFCC to immediately review and investigate all  payments made in respect of subsides checked against actual importations and to take all necessary steps to prosecute any person(s) involved in any
incidence of malfeasance, fraud, over-payments and related illegalities.

“Please be assured of the full cooperation of my office with this investigation, as I have directed all officials of PPPRA and related agencies in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to make themselves available in the event of any interviews”.

The minister further said a unit has been set up in the Petroleum Resources Ministry to be headed by an independent auditor to review the KPMG and other audit reports on NNPC and other Parastatals, and immediately begin implementation of their findings, ensuring, at all times, full probity and value for money.

She also hinted that another unit is being put together in the ministry to begin comprehensive review of the management and controls within all Parastatals in the Ministry, including but not limited to NNPC, PPPRA, and DPR.

“Accordingly, I expect a report in 30 days to enable us take further action in reforming management, personnel, and other practices and procedures in Parastatals within the Ministry. It should be noted however that this process has already begun in PPPRA, and DPR where management changes and reform are beginning to yield desirable results”, Madueke said.

“I will like to assure the people of Nigeria that all hands are on deck to ensure full probity and accountability in the oil industry. Having spent the last 18 months painstakingly reviewing its operations and designing a vision for the future, it is now time to deliver”, she added.