•Jonathan
There is uneasy calm in
the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan over the probe of fuel
subsidy management and ongoing trial of some oil marketers.
Some of the marketers are facing trial
for the alleged mismanagement of about N382 billion while a few others
are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
Some of the marketers being probed were
granted bail on Thursday, pending the filing of charges against those
that are found culpable.
Investigation, however, revealed that
the ongoing probe by the EFCC has triggered division in the Federal
Executive Council (FEC) with the indictment of some oil marketers by the
Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel
Subsidy headed by Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.
It was learnt that some ministers are
unhappy with what they consider as overbearing influence of the
Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, on the investigation of the marketers and her insistence
that they should be punished when there could be room for restitution.
It was gathered that some ministers
favour refund of illegally paid subsidy funds than full-scale trial of
marketers which Okonjo-Iweala has been championing.
The aggrieved ministers also complained
against alleged ‘blanket stigma’ given to marketers including a few ones
that had been ‘helpful’ to the administration of Jonathan.
According to findings, some of the
ministers also faulted Okonjo-Iweala for going about the probe as if it
was purely her initiative without the input of other cabinet members.
The aggrieved ministers were said to
have been covertly working to undermine Okonjo-Iweala, with some of them
pushing for her exit from the cabinet for proving to be “too know.’’
But the President is said to backing the Minister because he believes she is guiding the economy in the right direction.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said:
“The truth is that some ministers are unhappy with the way the probe
into the fuel subsidy scam was handled by Okonjo-Iweala. Their argument
is that the process of investigation and trial could paralyse the oil
sector, particularly the fuel supply system.
“But the Finance Minister insisted on
bringing transparency into governance instead of giving soft-landing to
the ‘untouchable’ marketers.
“In fact the release of the report of
the Presidential Committee to the public and the uncovering of the 25
indicted marketers deepened the crack between Okonjo-Iweala and the
ministers.
“There are handfuls who are engaging the
Minister of Finance in cold war, which is apparent to cabinet members.
They pretend to be tolerating her, but if they have their way, they
would want the President to drop her.”
Responding to a question, the source
added: “I think some oil barons are desperate to create a wedge between
Okonjo-Iweala and other cabinet ministers.
Another source added: “All is not well
between some ministers and Okonjo-Iweala for not protecting some
interests. She stepped on powerful toes without looking back. That is
why she has been receiving threats. My position is that it is normal in
any Executive Council.
“You can imagine what will happen to the
image of Nigeria if no action is taken against the fuel subsidy
syndicate. What is important is that she is enjoying the confidence and
trust of her boss.”
A source close to the minister, who
confided in our correspondent, said: “I think I can only say that some
cabinet members have not come to terms with the ongoing reforms of
Okonjo-Iweala. But they are gradually being integrated to appreciate it.
“The war against those who benefited
illegally from fuel subsidy funds is not personal. It is also not aimed
at undermining the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani
Alison-Madueke, or any cabinet member as being insinuated by some
people. I can tell you that the Finance Minister is only complementing
the reforms in the oil and gas sector. They enjoy the best of
relationship.
“Most of the policies and decisions are
meant to set the system right. If she had not acted the way she did, the
government would have been rubbished.
“For instance, the handling of the
economy has enjoyed international support and approval. We have just
obtained a positive rating by Moody Rating Agency. The Standard and Poor
too also did the same with high score on the management of the nation’s
external reserves.”
The Presidential Committee on
Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments had initially
indicted 21 firms for fraudulent claims that cost the nation the sum of
N382 billion, but the list was later increased to 25 by the Federal
Ministry of Finance based on fresh evidence.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said out of the N422 billion scrutinised, N18
billion was found to have been duplicated, while N21 billion was
cleared.
He also confirmed that out of the 116
oil marketing and trading companies (OM&T) invited, a total of 107
honoured the invitation.
He said: “Of the N422 billion, N18
billion was found to be duplication. So, the actual amount that was
being verified is N403 billion. Of this amount, N21 billion was cleared
and that leaves N382 billion as the sum in contention for which the
committee recommended that the process of recovery should be made,” the
committee report noted.
TheNation
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