FROM the presidency on Thursday came the revelation that the recent report filed by the Mr. Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force was tainted by political intrigues and undue personal interests.
This was according to remarks made by Dr. Doyin Okupe, President Jonathan’s senior special assistant on public affairs, at a press conference in Abuja.
Okupe expressed regrets that the president’s best intentions of sanitizing the petroleum sector risks being overrun by deadly political intrigues inspired private interests.
“Since the setting up of the task force, there have been some form of politically orchestrated insinuations casting on the sincerity and integrity of government’s intention both in the setting up of the committee, process of submission of the report and government’s political will to implement its findings and recommendations,” Okupe said, adding that the government deserved praise for attempting to restore accountability to the petroleum sector in the first place.
Okupe also denounced what he saw as reckless outburst from some Nigerians about the government and its intention, saying such behavior only undermines the interests of the country.
“We are being reckless. We are not helping ourselves. We are helping the country. We are not helping the citizens. We are seeking after cheap popularity that does not help in any way. When you destroy the government, destroy the country, which country can you come back and rule over?”
“Nigerians, without seeing the report, some people have already taken arms. The thing must be implemented 100 per cent. If you don’t implement it, we are going to strike. Over what? It was a technical committee.
“It is like I built a house that is beautiful and fine. But one discovers that there are leakages in the roof, water is leaking from the floor; and one brings in technical experts and says this house cost me millions and I don’t want to destroy it.
“What can I do to rectify it? I am not asking for the plumber who did it. What is his name? How much was he paid? It is when you rectify and restructure the building that it can become useful and habitable.”
The presidency expressed disappointment over the leakage of the report just as he challenged Ribadu to disclose the identity of the people he alleged tried to influence the outcome of the investigation.
According to Okupe, Ribadu, too, “advertently or inadvertently” encouraged the negativism that has attended the work of the task force, saying that the body fell short of its mandate as specified in its terms of reference.
“We are aware that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to a certain extent, advertently or inadvertently but definitely unfortunate, has encouraged this negativism.”
“One of the terms of reference of the committee mandated it to work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes, royalties, etc.) due and payable to Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Unfortunately and most regrettably, this paramount duty of the PRSTF committee could not be accomplished as stated in paragraph of the covering letter signed by chairman Ribadu and the secretary of the committee.”