The
Federal Government has indicted Conoil Plc, MRS Oil and Gas Ltd.,
Capital Oil and Gas Industry Ltd., and 18 other firms in the fuel
subsidy imbroglio.
It said that these companies were being investigated
based on the evidence that they might have engaged in fraudulent
activities under the fuel subsidy regime.
The Ministry of Finance, in a statement on Friday,
gave the names of the other companies as Aluminnur Resources Ltd.,
Brilla Energy Ltd., Caades Oil and Gas Ltd., Downstream Energy Source
Ltd., Eterna Plc and Eurafric Oil and Gas Ltd.
Others are Lumen Skies Ltd., Majope Investment Ltd.,
Matrix Energy Ltd., Menon Oil and Gas Ltd., MOB International Services,
Nasaman Oil Services Ltd., Natacel Petroleum Ltd., Ocean Energy Trading
and Services, Pinnacle Contractors Ltd., Sifax Oil and Gas Company,
Tonique Oil Services Ltd. and Top Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd.
According to the statement, a report by the
Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments led by Aig
Aig-Imoukhuede, had recommended that the firms refund various amounts to
the national treasury.
The statement said, “There is a second group of
companies with infractions which are relatively minor. They are in
discussion with the government for a quick resolution of their issues.
The government is prepared to settle their claims under the following
circumstances.
“For oil marketers under investigation for possible
refunds to the government, their 2012 outstanding claims will be netted
out against their expected refunds to the government and those with a
positive net balance, i.e. outstanding claims greater than expected
refunds, will be processed and paid.
“For marketers with a negative balance with the
government, i.e they owe the government more in refunds than the
government owes them, the Aig-Imoukhuede committee will accelerate the
review of their documents after the Sallah break so that their claims
can be processed and settled, if cleared, without further delay.
“It is clear that those behind the strikes are
marketers being investigated for possible fraud. These elements have now
resorted to hiding behind the unions to unnecessarily antagonise the
government and create hardship for Nigerians.
“We want to make it clear that the government will
fully investigate their activities and if found guilty, bring them to
book and recover all public funds fraudulently obtained in the guise of
fuel subsidy claims.
“No degree of blackmail will stop the government from
doing its work. The government will, therefore, pursue justice and
ensure that those who are found guilty are appropriately sanctioned.”
The Federal Government had already spent N493.67bn on fuel subsidy claims this year.
Out of the amount, N451bn was used to settle the 2011
arrears. Also, a total of N888bn was earmarked for subsidy payments in
the 2012 budget.
The FG had earlier stated on Tuesday that indicted
oil marketers would not be paid subsidy claims, while dismissing the
threat of strike by the marketers.
The current scarcity of petroleum products in some
parts of the country, particularly the Federal Capital Territory, has
been blamed on the refusal of the marketers to lift products due to the
decision of the FG to withhold further subsidy payments.
The government said in a statement on Tuesday by the
Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu,
that it had been discharging its responsibilities to marketers whose
claims had been verified.
Nwabuikwu said, “The claim by some marketers that
they have embarked on strike because the FG has failed to pay them for
fuel imports is not accurate. The true position is that the FG has been
meeting its obligations to oil marketers in respect of all legitimate
claims.
“For instance, between April and May 2012, batches
D/12 and E/12 involving 14 oil marketers with a claim of N17bn were
fully settled through the issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes and other
relevant documentation.
“In addition, since the directive by the minister to
the Debt Management Office to continue payments of all verified claims,
N25.6bn worth of claims has been fully settled with the issuance of
Sovereign Debt Notes. In all, between April and August this year, in
respect of 2012 PMS claims, Sovereign Debt Notes amounting to N42.666bn
have been issued to 31 oil marketers.”
He, however, said claims by marketers who had been
recommended for further investigation by the Aig-Imoukhuede committee
had not been paid.
Payments or sanctions to this category of marketers,
according to the statement, will be determined by the outcome of
investigations.
Nwabuikwu said in the statement, “Against this
background, it is clear that the strike was instigated mainly by
marketers who were indicted by the Aig-Imoukhuede committee, which
investigated fuel subsidy payments.
“Their obvious intention is to blackmail the FG in
order to escape sanctions for the crimes they have committed. Nigerians
should not be deceived by their antics. Such tactics will not succeed
because the FG is determined to ensure that persons and organisations
that did wrong things do not get away with the wrong actions and
behaviour.”
He gave an assurance that the payment of marketers
whose claims had been verified would continue in a consistent and
structured way that would protect the best interests of the country.
“All marketers who have genuine issues regarding
their claims are encouraged to come forward for discussions or
clarifications,” he said.
via Punch
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