Jonathan sets up new fuel subsidy panel

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday constituted a committee to verify and reconcile the findings of the technical committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance to review all fuel subsidy claims and payments made in 2011.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said in a statement that Jonathan constituted the 15-member committee in fulfilment of his pledge to Nigerians that no person or organisation guilty of fuel subsidy fraud or corruption would escape justice.

Abati said the committee headed by Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, which would begin work immediately, was expected to conclude its assignment on Friday, July 13, as a prelude to the government taking immediate action on all identified cases of fraud.

He gave the names of other members of the committee to include Dr. Abraham Nwankwo (Director-General, Debt Management Office); Mr. Bernard Otti (Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation); Mrs. Oyinye Ahuchogu (Central Bank of Nigeria); and Mrs. Sola David-Borha (Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, representing the banking community).

Others are Mr. Mike Osatuyi (National Secretary, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria); Mr. Obafemi Olawore (Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria); Mr. Jonah Otunla (Accountant-General of the Federation); Mr. Bright Okogwu (Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation); Mr. Reginald Stanley (Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency); Mrs. Aisha Waziri-Umar and Mr. Jalal Arabi.

Abati said the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police and Director-General, State Security Service, would also be represented on the committee.

According to the statement, the committee’s terms of reference include to further verify and reconcile all claims made in the report of the Technical Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments; properly identify all cases of overpayment and/or irregular payments; and accurately identify all likely fraudulent cases for criminal investigation.