Alleged Diversion of Chinese Rail Loan Untrue - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reacts In A Statement

By -
- Kano-Lagos rail project not funded by China-EximBank
- China-EximBank keeps and disburses funds for approved projects to contractors based on milestones; funds are not domiciled with Finance Ministry

Since this story was first reported, we have continued to receive media inquiries regarding an allegation reportedly made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar, that a substantial part of a $1bn loan obtained from the China-EximBank by the Jonathan administration for a Kano-Lagos rail project was diverted to other projects. 
I want to state categorically that there is no truth in the reported allegation. Anyone who is interested can cross-check with the China-EximBank or the Chinese Embassy.

It is noteworthy that even though President Buhari, in his reported comments on the allegation, made no reference to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala but rightly stressed the need for due process and transparency in the execution of public projects, a sponsored media campaign has once again been launched by political elements to make the former Minister the culprit in a non-existent scandal. 
The alleged diversion has no substance for the simple reason that the Kano-Lagos project was not even among the projects presented for funding by the China Exim Bank for several strategic infrastructural projects across the country. 
In fact, it was the Lagos–Ibadan rail project, not Lagos-Kano rail project that was proposed in the original application to the China-EximBank. But in the end, no funds were assigned for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project by the China-EximBank.

The fact which can be confirmed is that the following projects which are at various stages of progress are being funded from facilities obtained from the China-EximBank:
- $500m for the expansion of four International Airport Terminals in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt. 
- $500m for the Abuja Light Rail project

- $984m for the Zungeru Hydro-electric power project
- $100m for the Galaxy Backbone project
It is also important to note that even if the alleged project was on the list of China-EximBank funded projects, diversion of any Chinese funds would have been extremely difficult because the terms of the contract and the processes would simply not have permitted such action. 
The procedure is that funds for approved loans remain in the China-EximBank and are released directly to the Chinese firm executing the contract only after the presentation of duly certified proof of work by the responsible Ministry, in this case it would have been the Federal Ministry of Transport, based on the agreed milestones. 
For the sake of emphasis, the China-EximBank does not disburse money directly to government and therefore the issue of diversion does not arise. 
This is yet another example of the kind of whispering campaign of calumny, innuendo, misinformation, and outright distortions being perpetrated by certain political elements against Dr. Okonjo-Iweala in a bid to try to damage her reputation.

We are confident that those behind this campaign will continue to fail. 
We respectfully request the media to refrain from attaching Dr. Okonjo-Iweala's name and photographs to spurious and unfounded allegations. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala as a Nigerian citizen in a democracy, a citizen who has served her country with honesty and integrity, also has some fundamental rights to justice and fair play.

Thank you.

Paul C Nwabuikwu
Media Adviser to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Popular posts from this blog

Girl Who Escaped Opens Up: Boko Haram Rapés Us Up To 15 Times Everyday

By -
Image
As you read this, the over 200 female students abducted on April 14 from Government Girls School,Chibok, in Borno State are passing through hard times, with some of them being rapéd for as much as 15 times a day. One of the abducted girls who managed to escape made this shocking revelations. According Daily Mirror, “Families of the schoolgirls, aged between 15 to 18, are certain their daughters are now being used as séx slaves by an extreme sect that has killed 1,500 people since the start of this year alone. They are captives in the wild Sambisa Forest in north-east Nigeria where Boko Haram has a heavily armed camp of bunkers, tunnels, ramshackle buildings and tents.  “ One girl who recently escaped following an earlier kidnapping said she was prized as a terror leader’s wife because she had been a virgin . She said young female captives were raped up to 15 times a day, forced to convert to Islam and had their throats cut if they refused.” Daily Mirror said th...
Read more

Mushin Violence: Serial Killer, Others Arrested By The Police

By -
Image
Toba and Muda The Lagos State Police Command has arrested alleged serial killer, Adigun Oriyomi, aka Muda, after five months of being on the run. The command also arrested two others, including the alleged gang leader in the Fadeyi area of the state, Toba Ajiboye. PUNCH Metro had reported that Muda was arrested last year for murder and was charged to court and remanded, but was later released. After his release, Muda was said to have gone after those who wrote statements against him at the police station and was said to be involved in about four more murders, including that of a pregnant woman and her three-year-old child in the Akala area of Mushin.
Read more

HISTORY: THE STORY OF PROPHET EDWARD OKEKE (a.k.a Eddie Nogu, Okara mmadu Okara Mmuo) #BBNaija

By -
Image
E ddie "Nawgu" Okeke's alias was "Alusi N'eje Uka" this when translated to the English language means "The Diety Who Goes To Church". Prophet Edward Okeke (a.k.a Eddie Na Nogwu)was a Nigerian self-Proclaimed "Prophet of God" and Occult Practitioner. He was popularly known in the mid-1990s as "Eddy Nawgu" amongst the igbo speaking People. His nickname "Nawgu" came about because he was from the Nawgu community, a town situated in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. He was a legend in the Word of crime in Anambra State, Nigeria. he committed so many atrocities during his life time. Rumor even has it that,he 'buried alive' able bodied young men/women (human beings) inorder to do his foundation in his house and around his fence.Although he was later Killed by the Bakasi boys and his house and church were burnt down. Let us look at his Tale empirically. Early life of Edward Okeke...
Read more