PRESS STATEMENT
Earlier today, a disreputable former member of the House of
Representatives, Mr Dino Melaye brought a handful of demonstrators to
the Federal Ministry of Finance who conducted themselves in an unruly
manner.
We have it on good authority that Mr Melaye’s group was sponsored by
some of the indicted oil barons who are currently being investigated and
prosecuted for subsidy fraud. Their allegation to wrong subsidy
payments made by the Ministry is a mere ruse to conceal their true
motives.
It is important to note that the Federal Ministry of Finance does not
pay any contractors directly. The relevant ministries do. So this
allegation by Mr Melaye and his group is completely wrong and without
foundation.
Also, whenever its statutory mandate requires that it makes any
payments, the Ministry follows strict payment procedures and only pays
when there is appropriate documentation from relevant agencies.
The Melaye demonstration was ostensibly to call for the resignation
of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance who
is well known for fighting the fraudulent oil barons whose names were
published by the Federal Ministry of Finance for various breaches of the
subsidy regime.
Nigerians are, of course, not deceived by the antics of Mr Melaye who
has no known pedigree as a civil society activist or even a reputation
for honour or common decency.
When asked by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Danladi Kifasi
to submit a written statement, Mr Melaye said that they did not come
with any. This gives an indication of the level of seriousness of the
effort.
Curiously, Mr Melaye and his cohorts, in making their frivolous
allegations, did not mention the fact that the Federal Ministry of
Finance under the leadership of Dr Okonjo-Iweala took the unprecedented
step of publishing the names of 25 companies which were investigated by
the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee for various breaches of the subsidy regime.
They also neglected to say that many of the indicted marketers are
currently undergoing interrogation and prosecution. As a direct result
of the Ministry’s efforts against corruption in the subsidy regime and
tighter procedures, the nation has saved billions of Naira that would
otherwise have gone to corrupt marketers.
The Federal Ministry of Finance stands steadfast in its resolve to
fight against corruption and manage the finances of the country in the
best interest of the Nigerian people.
Paul C Nwabuikwu,
Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance
YNaija.com
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