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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
As the Nigerian economy yearns for good managers to save it from rapid deterioration, an anti-corruption group, the Nigeria Transparency Initiative for Good Governance, has warned President Bola Tinubu to be wary of ‘economic saboteurs’ in the presidential villa masquerading as technocrats.
The group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Sani Ahmed and General Secretary, Henry Nwosu at the weekend, said the ‘hawks’ were already salivating to undo and derail some of the critical decisions taken by the previous administration as it concerns addressing the corruption in the oil and gas sector and generally growing the Nigerian economy and making it competitive globally.
The group said: “We would not have taken the moves of these elements with a pinch of salt except for some incontrovertible evidence at our disposal. First, we believe the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the interest of the masses at heart, and would do anything to protect such interests especially by safeguarding the oil and gas industry upon which the economy of the country stands. “Secondly, the oil and gas sector over the years has experienced lots of challenges ranging from oil thefts to vandalism of infrastructure, corruption and abuses.
“We are also aware that efforts have been made to sanitise the sector, encourage investments and expand the infrastructure to accommodate growth and development necessary to pull back the nation’s economy from the brink of the precipice.
“As critical stakeholders, we are alarmed that each time the government takes decisions to move the oil and gas sector forward, some vested interests would begin to create problems to frustrate government decisions and cripple the entire sector. Such unpatriotic moves have also sent wrong signals to potential investors, both local and international, who watched from the sidelines if their investments would be safe in the country in view of prevailing scenarios.”
The group recalled that in 2023, the Federal Executive Council approved the appointment of Preshipment Inspectors and Monitoring /Evaluation for crude oil and gas exports under the Nigerian Export Supervision scheme.
It said the whole process was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and taken to the Federal Ministry of Finance for implementation.
It added that the Presidential approval was secured following compliance with due process in line with the provision of the public procurement Act, 2007.
The group, however, lamented that the intelligence at its disposal shows clearly that saboteurs in the incumbent administration were on sabotaging the laudable foundation already laid regarding the approval of the pre-shipment inspection to companies that duly qualified for it.
It cautioned that: “This would no doubt create a set back, erode investors confidence and stiffen the growth and development of the sector.
“The government approved nine consultants out of about 81 who applied. The approval was based on their past antecedents and experience as well as professional competence.
“It should be noted that part of the qualification during the bidding process was that all the bidders must establish laboratories and offices in Warri, Port Harcourt and Lagos, which they all did.
“After the approval, the Companies together with their foreign partners began extensive works to carry out their mandates, trusting that stability, transparency and decorum have returned to the sector due to the painstaking and transparent processes and procedures followed during the bidding periods.”
It further alleged that a circular obtained from the office of the Minister of Finance shows that the Monitoring and Evaluation Agents(MEAs) that were approved by the Federal Government, are being replaced with new companies that were not part of the bidding process.
The group, therefore, appealed to those involved to in the interest of the nation, stop forthwith their parochial schemings to cancel the already approved contracts and later award them to cronies.
It also called on the President to wade into the matter and prevail on whoever in his cabinet that are involved not to dabble into the already settled matter.
“We also appeal to Mr President to keep a close watch on developments in the oil and gas sector, especially aspects that deal with pre-shipment inspection because whatever happens in the sector alert the international investors and partners on how serious we are as a country in protecting national assets, infrastructures, and agreements,” Is added.
