NLNG: Reps Probe Non-Remittance Of 10-Yr Revenues …Quiz Petroleum Minister Over Private Jet

The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Gas to investigate the alleged non-remittance of funds from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Bonny, to the Federation Account.
The committee, which would investigate the non-remittance from 2004 till date, had three weeks to summit its report.
This resolution was sequel to a motion by Rep. Aminu Suleiman (APC- Kano) which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.
Suleiman said that NLNG Bonny had breached Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which makes it mandatory for all ‘revenue’ collected by the government of the federation to be remitted into the Federation Account.
He said the NLNG Bonny in flagrant disobedience and breach of Section 162 (1) of the 1999 Constitution had not remitted funds accruing to it to the Federation Account from 2004 till date.
Suleiman said that the non-remittance of funds accruing to NLNG Bonny from 2004 till date had adversely affected the Federation Account to the detriment of Federal, States and Local Governments.
“The unpatriotic actions of those in charge of the NLNG Bonny from 2004 till date, has resulted in loss of huge revenue.
“That ought to be shared to all tiers of the government from the Federation Accounts for both recurrent and capital development,” he said.
He said the non-remittance of funds that accrued to NLNG Bonny to the account from 2004 till date had “badly” affected all critical sectors of the Nigerian economy and constitutes an economic crime.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution to probe an alleged expenditure of N10billion by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to charter and maintain a jet for her personal use.
The sponsor of the motion, Mr. Samuel Adejare, told the House that the minister maintained the aircraft for two years.
“In the last two years, the minister has committed at least N3.120billion in maintaining the private jet, which is used solely for her personal needs and those of her immediate family, which is an appalling act,” he said.
He alleged that other “wasteful” costs associated with the minister’s frequent trips with the jet were “currently estimated at N10billion, which include payment of allowances to the crew for trips, hanger parking and rent based on the lease agreement.”
The All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Agege Federal Constituency in Lagos State, argued that, at a time of dwindling resources, it was a “breach of public trust” and “impudence” for a government official to fly “all over the world, obviously for leisure.”
Members endorsed the motion in a unanimous voice vote and directed the Committee on Public Accounts to conduct the investigation within three weeks.
In another resolution, the House observed that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas had not remitted revenue to the Federation Account since 2004.
It resolved that its Committee on Gas Resources should investigate the issue within three weeks as well.
A member from Kano State, Mr. Aminu Suleiman, had brought the matter before the House.
Part of Suleiman’s motion reads, “The House notes that the NLNG Bonny, in flagrant disobedience and breach of Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution has not remitted funds accruing to it to the Federation Account form 2004 till date.
“That the non-remittance of funds accruing to NLNG Bonny from 2004 till date has adversely affected the Federation Account to the detriment of Federal, States and Local Governments.
“That the unpatriotic actions of those in charge of the NLNG bonny from 2004 till date has resulted in loss of huge revenue that ought to be shared to all tiers of the government form the Federation accounts for both recurrent and capital development.
“That, the non-remittance of funds that accrued to NLNG Bonny to the Federation Account from 2004 till date has badly affected all critical sectors of the Nigerian economy and constitute an economic crime.”

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi laying the foundation stone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday. He is flanked by Commissioner of Information & Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari (left), NUJ National President, Mohammed Garba (5th right), RATTAWU National President, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose (3rd right), Mr. Victor Agusiobo of Nigeria Guide of Editors (4th right), Chairman, Rivers Assembly Committee on Information, Onari Rrown (2nd right) and Chairman, NUJ, Rivers State Council, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, during the ground breaking ceremony in Port Harcourt.