OIL SECTOR PROBE: Presidency slams Ribadu Report

OIL SECTOR PROBE: Presidency slams Ribadu Report 

Open disagreement among the key members of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu: The way forward! 

This is an important national issue gathering storm in Nigeria presently. We cover it because there are some fundamental questions that require urgent response from the Chairman of the Task Force as well as some of the key players in the committee. First, the report was leaked to an international media organization, and two, when it was eventually released, a part of it was not adequately reconciled. 

In light of the unconventional conduct of some of the participants at the presentation of the report to the President, especially Mr. Oronsaye and Mr. Oti, it is preposterous on their part as original members of the Special Task Force, to object to the contents of a report that they did not fully and substantially contribute to as expected of reasonable members. Besides, the fact that they did not relinquish their strategic and influential positions at NNPC, while the Task Force was conducting its investigations calls into question the neutrality of the two gentlemen in the entire investigation. 

Our conclusion here is based on the fact that nothing Mallam Nuhu Ribadu said during the handling ceremony in response to Oronsaye/Oti's protest has been disputed by Mr. Oronsaye and Mr. Oti. Did they participate at the Task Force investigations substantively as expected of gentlemen and elders?

In spite of everything, I would like to cut Mr. Oronsaye some slack. The fact that he did not resign his membership of the Task Force when he was appointed a Director of NNPC and the fact that he did not fully participate in the investigatory assignment at the early stage did not diminish the relevance of his submission to the effect that “some of the figures in the draft report were not reconciled.  He should present his own report explaining the alleged "unreconciled figures" to the Presidency and the general public as soon as possible. 

Adding to that, Nigerian would like to know whether or not the un-reconciled part of the report is vital to the completeness of the entire report. To say that government cannot prosecute those mentioned or indicted by the report because a part of it is un-reconciled, coming from Mr. Okupe as it did, is a tacit rejection of the Task Force report by the government.  

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. How come Mr. Ribadu did not ask for more time to complete his assignment? Was there pressure from the Presidency  to the Committee to submit the report? The answer to the last question is a capital NO. It is on record that the Presidency was compelled to ask for the presentation of the report following its publication by foreign media.  

At this juncture, there is urgent need to address the statement made by Mr. Oronsay’ during the presentation. He pointed out that the Task Force should have asked for extension of time from the President in order to complete the entire report, especially the part that they all agreed was  "un-reconciled."  Mr. Ribadu should come out and explain that part of the report to the public, because his reputation is at stake. 

The fact that Mr. Oronsaye did not participate in the investigation fully as expected did not directly excuse the impacts of the "un-reconciled" part in the final report. Why did the Chairman submit an incomplete report to the President when he was not working under time pressure? Or is that part of the report simply irreconcilable? 

Finally, Mr. Ribadu is a fine Police Officer, a gentleman, a worthy civil servant and a Presidential material any day; Nigeria cannot continue to lose people like him over avoidable errors. We STRONGLY advise Mr. Ribadu to come out and explain that part of the report clearly to the general public. Again, why was it "unreconciled? Or is the "un-reconciled" part simply irreconcilable? If so, why is it irreconcilable? Lastly, how important is the "un-reconciled" part in the entire report? In other words, is that part so important to the extent that the people indicted in the report cannot          be prosecuted as pointed out by Mr. Okupe? Mr. Ribadu, the ball is in your court and time is of the essence. Act now!