THE resolve by President-elect, General Mohammed Buhari to probe alleged NNPC missing $20bn has elicited reactions from Nigerians who said the decision is a welcome development.
It will be recalled that former CBN Governor, now Emir of Kano Alhaji Sanusi Lamido had alleged that NNPC failed to remit the sum of $20bn to the CBN.
Former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet in his reaction said: “I believe the probe will be very much in order. The subject mater has been very controversial in public domain and a succeeding government, acting in the public interest, has every right to go into it to put the records straight for posterity’s sake. If the incoming government refuses to probe the NNPC, it can be accused of a cover-up as the subject matter cannot just go away or be forgotten like that.”
Also speaking, a retired commissioner of police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said: “the money allegedly missing in NNPC account is not a small money. It is big and should be a matter of concern to responsible and responsive government, including all patriotic Nigerians. But this seems not to be the case here. The person who reported the alleged missing fund, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was harassed and intimidated. He was suspended and his passport impounded. He was hounded for arrest, all in attempt to silence him. I support the president-elect’s desire to do so when he assumes office. This move will provide Nigerians to know who between the presidency and Sanusi is saying the truth. I support the probe.”
Executive Director of Centre for Social Justice, Mr. Eze Onyekpere, described the decision to probe the $20 billion allegation against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC as a welcome development but urged the incoming President Buhari administration to go beyond the probe to restructure the organization.
According to him, the restructuring of the NNPC remains the only way to genuinely clean up the system and restore public confidence in the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy Onyekpere pointed out that separating the role of the regulator from that of an active industry player was critical to cleaning up the NNPC in line with the Petroleum industry Bill PIB.
His words, “It is a welcome development that the President elect would upon the assumption of office probe the purportedly missing $20 billion. This will help to arrive at the variety and truth of the allegation expose and push any culprit and restore public confidence in the oil and gas industry.
“However, what the sector needs is beyond a probe, it is about a fundamental restructuring that will separate the regulator from being an active player, introduce private sector efficiency and pave the way for investors to finance by ticket and long term transactions in the oil and gas industry.
“It is a positive process of liberalization arid creates opportunities for Nigerians and their friends to be in a win-win situation and this will untie the binding constraints on Nigeria’s development. This will be a PIB type of reform that addresses fundamental issues in the sector without creating new bottlenecks and opportunities for rent seeking by government agencies and functionaries.
Former Minister of Petroleum, Tam David-West, is fully in support of the probe. He is of the opinion that the perpetrators if caught, should be severely punished.
He said: “I am supportive of the decision by the president elect to probe the NNPC missing fund, because he will not close his eyes and see corruption go without adequate punishment.
“This fund is supposedly meant for the welfare of the masses and the development of other sectors of the country that would better the lives of ordinary Nigerians. I vote for life imprisonment for those who are found to be part of such mishap to the country’s economy.”
“However, it is to be noted that the initiative by the President elect to probe the culprits is not an act to witch-hunt anybody, but it is seen that evil is rewarded accordingly by the law. And as such, if armed robbery is punished, ‘official robbers’ should be given stricter punishment that would pave way for others with such proclivity.”
He maintained that Buhari should ensure that he recovers all controversial money that is stolen from the petroleum industry.
Also, Dr. Ibilola Amao, principal consultant, Lonadek Nigeria Limited, a firm of local content consultants, lauds the initiative.
“The initiative is refreshing to the industry, but in a second opinion, it is required of the president elect, after the exit of the minister and reshuffling of related cabinet especially those who provided data to the auditors that gave NNPC a clean bill of health.
The national chairman and presidential candidate of United Progressive Party in the just concluded election, Chief Chekwas Okorie reacted this way “The amount is a staggering amount. You do not expect any government to gloss over it. Since the doubts are there, I’ think it is necessary to get the truth about it. Nevertheless, the probe should be what it is supposed to be and not witch hunting exercise.
“The sun of $20 button is not an amount to gloss over. That amount can fund a project. The government was busy borrowing money from financial houses when such an amount was claimed to be missing.
“When there is doubt, a responsible government should not gloss over it. If I were him, I would go ahead and probe the allegation so that it can be used to tackle the issues.”
The General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Peter Ozon-Eso said, “Well, I believe it is something that will be good so that we know where the truth lies because in terms of payment into the federation account, we need to know if there are linkage so that going forward, the linkage would be blocked.
“The amount of 20 billion dollars is not chicken, feed and so, the probe should also cover those who superintended at the time, so that Nigerians will know where the truth lies and ensure that such people are not allowed to exist. I think it is something that should be done.”
The Human Right Watch Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), also welcomed the resolve of Buhari to investigate the ministry $20 billion.
In a statement in Abuja, the group however, cautioned against selective justice or unnecessary witch hunt of perceived political enemies, even as it urged the incoming National Assembly to understudy the Chinese anti graft model so as to introduce the death penalty as punishment for corruption by government officials and contractors.
According to the group, “the decision to probe the alleged missing $20 billion is a welcome development or swift reversal of his earlier unpopular decision not to re-open any corruption cases that happened before March 28, 2015.
“We urge the President elect to begin by totally recognizing the anti-graft institutions by bringing in capable Nigerians of integrity to head the institution so as to revive the now moribund anti-graft bodies.”
Members of the House of Representatives, said Buhari’s decision to probe the missing NNPC’s $20 billion was a welcome development.
The law makes hanged their submission on the fact that there is noting wrong in the president elect’s further investigations into the matter.
Deputy leader of the House of Representatives Leo Ogo said, “it is a welcome development if the President elect wants to probe further but at the same time, he should be careful not to base whatever action he wants to take on hearsay alone.”
Also provided the further probe within the ambit of the law we shall gladly look into it because we are all against corruption in all ramifications.”
In his contribution, Rep Kysari Gujbawu, PDP, Borno, said “it is a sweet development particularly if you look at the revolutionary manner he emerged. Probing, fighting corruption should be a welcome development, so long as it is not a witch hunt.
Hon. Ogbonnaya Nwuke, the member representing Eche Etche/Omuma Federal constituency of Rivers State, said it was a welcome development that will introduce financial discipline and curb embezzlement in the country.
He said: “The President elect has clearly shown that there would be no hiding for system thieves who have penchant for stealing and looting public funds.”