The
Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force’s report may not be dead after all.
The
government yesterday gave a ray of hope that in spite of the controversy that
greeted the report, it might still see the light of the day.
President
Goodluck Jonathan raised three committee to prepare draft White Papers on the
report of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu Committee and two others on the oil industry.
The
committees are to work for two weeks.
Also
yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communication
Dr. Doyin Okupe, said the report would not be swept under the carpet.
A
statement by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “In furtherance of
his declared commitment to doing all within his powers to ensure greater
accountability, probity and transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today (yesterday) established three
committees to prepare draft White Papers on the reports of the Petroleum
Revenue Special Task Force, the National Refineries Special Task Force and the
Governance and Controls Special Task Force.
“The
Committees are to study the reports, review the issues raised, and prepare
draft White Papers for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council
within two weeks.
“The
White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force Report will
be chaired by the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, with the Minister of
Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, and
the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II: Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed as members.
“The
White Paper Committee on the report of the Governance and Controls Special Task
Force will be chaired by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development,
Ms. Ama Pepple. Other members of the committee are Minister of State, Defence,
Erelu Olusola Obada, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, and Minister of
State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mallam Bukar Tijani.
“The
White Paper Committee on the report of the National Refineries Special Task
Force has Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Mohammed Sada as
Chairman, and Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi
Adesina, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate and Minister of State
for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyeson Wike as members.
“The
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will provide
secretariat for the Committees.
A
statement by Okupe yesterday said at no time did he or any official of government
suggest that the report would be dumped even though the data were yet to be
verified.
“There
are several issues raised by the committee that would never be swept under the
carpet by the Jonathan administration. Anyone found wanting shall be punished
and all loopholes for corruption blocked.
“An
obvious disclaimer issued by the committee on the entire report makes it
impossible under our laws to indict or punish anybody except and until the
Federal Government fully verifies and reconciles the facts as recommended by
the committee in its submission to the government”.
Okupe
stated because the report was hurriedly put together and submitted, the
government would have to waste a lot of time and money putting together
machinery to verify the document before a white paper would be issued.
“I
must assure Nigerians that this administration is serious about fighting
corruption through the prosecution and institutional reforms. Any person or
organization found wanting by the report after verification would be made to
face the law”, he added.
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