Jonathan refers subsidy probe report to EFCC

AGF gets presidential directive

All seems set for the implementation of the report of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Subsidy following the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to refer the document to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 
It was learnt that the President has asked the EFCC to do a thorough job, sparing no indicted person. 
The President is believed to have given the green light for the EFCC probe of key issues in the report last weekend. 

A source in the Presidency, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has treated the House report and he is sending the whole document (undiluted)  to the EFCC to revisit and investigate outstanding areas recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee.
“The President has no reservation on areas to be probed by the EFCC. This has clearly shown that he is ready to allow the law to take its  full course. 
“I think those doubting President Jonathan’s commitment to the anti-corruption campaign can now heave a sigh of relief. 
“The action on the report by the EFCC is with immediate effect.” 
The President  is said to have mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), to take the report to the EFCC. 
The Presidency source expressed confidence that the  anti-graft commission may get the report on or before Thursday. 
Prior to the approval of the report by the President, the chairmen of three anti-graft agencies had last  Tuesday  on how to handle investigation into the oil subsidy scandal. 
Those who attended the secret meeting were the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde; the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Barrister Ekpo Nta; and the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Sam Saba. 
The presidency source added: “With the latest development from the presidency, it is apparent that only the EFCC will handle the investigation because the President was specific. 
“And the task will be easy for the anti-graft agency because it had interacted with some oil marketers on the subsidy issue, in the past.” 
The House  ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy recommended that some oil marketers and top officials of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) be investigated and prosecuted by anti-graft agencies. 
According to the report, those to be probed by anti-graft agencies(now only EFCC) are 121 oil marketers as follows: 
 17 marketers that did not obtain FOREX but claimed to have imported petroleum products. 
15 marketers who obtained FOREX but did not import petroleum products.
71 oil marketers to face probe and refund N230.1billion
18 oil marketers committed other infractions.
Other issues  for probe by the EFCC are :   
How 3.171billion litres of PMS got  missing. The 3.171 litres of PMS allegedly subsidised were not supplied to the Nigerian market.
 Ex-PPPRA Executive Secretaries Mr. A. Ibikunle (August 2009 to February 2011) and Mr. Goddy Egbuji(February to August 2011) for further probe and trial.
Others are PPPRA’s GM Field Services, ACDO/Supervisor-Ullage Team 1 and ACDO/Supervisor-Ullage Team 2
Ex-PPPRA Chairman Ahmadu Ali and board members reprimanded
NNPC should be probed to determine solvency
Those indicted in NNPC management and board between 2009 and 2011 should be prosecuted.
On the bazaar in the PPPRA, the report said: “The Committee identified that the marketers were often awarded superfluous quantities of products to supply but often did not meet the target. 
“In 2009, PPPRA approved a supply of 11,341,507,500 litres of PMS for the marketers. However PPPRA confirmed the marketers discharged only 5,085, 206, 983 litres or 55.16 per cent under-discharge. 
“Despite being aware of the under-performance by the marketers in 2009 or the defect in its procurement process and management, PPPRA increased the 2010 Approved Deliverables to 12,410,955, 000 litres. The marketers delivered only 6,226,586,543 that is 49.8 per cent under performance. In spite of the under performance, there were no crises of product availability throughout 2011. 
“This same ugly trend was maintained by PPPRA in 2011 during which it increased its approved quantity to 13,589,510,000 litres but however confirmed a delivery of 9,317,145,231 litres, an under performance by 31.4 per cent. 
“(i) By PPPRA’s representation, the marketers received N680.982billion as subsidy for supplying 9,317,145,275 litres of PMS in 2011. (ii)Curiously, PPPRA made another presentation that the marketers were paid N975.896billion for supplying 12,488,789,611 litres of PMS in 2011. 
“Between (i) and (ii) above, PPPRA has confirmed that the sum of N294, 914billion was paid on 3,171,644,336 litres of PMS that might not have been supplied to the Nigerian market. 
“The anomaly is hereby referred to the relevant anti-corruption agencies for further investigation.”