By Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja
Desperation by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Alhaji Abubakar Yar’Adua, to prove to President Umaru Yar’Adua that he can make the refineries work was responsible for his payment of N1.4 billion to militants in the Niger Delta, P.M.News gathered this morning, even as the revelation has continued to generate reactions across the country.
The NNPC GMD had told the House of Representatives panel probing government’s revenue and remittance to the Federation Account in Abuja on Tuesday that the Corporation paid militants $12 million in two months because the country was losing $81 million as a result of breakages in Channomi pipeline buried in the mangrove of Delta State.
P.M.News also gathered that the payment was approved by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia.
It was gathered that the payment was to facilitate access to the vandalised Channomi Creek pipeline, the main feeder that supplies crude oil from the Escravos oil fields to both the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
The pipeline was blown up in early 2007 by militants. The blow up of pipelines effectively stopped the nation’s four refineries from working. The repair of the pipelines was therefore necessary for the transportation of crude to the refineries after they were repaired last year.
The militants, according to sources, however, prevented NNPC engineers from gaining access to the pipelines which are located in the creeks of the Niger Delta region.
NNPC engineers were also said to be afraid of venturing into the region for the fear of being killed or taken hostage.
It was gathered that it was at this stage that the management of NNPC with the support of Ajumogobia decided to enter into negotiations with the militants to enable them gain access to the damaged oil pipelines. It was gathered that the militants had also insisted on nominating the contractors that would undertake the repairs of the refinery as part of the deal with NNPC.
The payment, it was gathered, was classified as ‘access fee’, and “community development support” to give it a semblance of legitimacy in the books of the oil corporation.
It was learnt that the militants had actually told NNPC that there are 36 holes in the pipeline network and demanded for a payment of $3 million per hole to allow the contractor to gain access to the site.
Sources also claim that some officials of the oil conglomerate, members of the armed forces stationed in the region and some community leaders who served as negotiators also benefited from the deal.
The militants, after the initial payment, went back to demand for another $3 million as they claimed to have discovered more holes in the pipelines. Meanwhile, criticisms have continued to trail the payment. In its reaction, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) denied receiving any money from NNPC.
The militant group said the money was paid to armed gangs in Delta State by the NNPC as“protection fee.” There were also controversies over the actual amount paid. While the NNPC GMD said it was $12 million, sources put the figure at about $60 million, while MEND said the amount is $25 million.
The NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs), Dr. Livi Ajuonuma, said in a statement yesterday that his boss was quoted out of context, though he did not deny the payment which he said was made to a local company which he failed to name.
“From our knowledge, the NNPC disbursed over $25 million (N2 billion) for the scam, which was shared by the top commanders of the military Joint Task Force, senior government officials in Delta State Governor’s Office and top management staff in the NNPC.”
Felix Korode
24 July 2008 15:59IT IS A BIG SHAME TO YAR’ ADUA’S ‘GOVERNMENT OF RULE OF LAW’
OMOOBA ELERO SOPE
24 July 2008 16:43Then why are we disturbing ourself since the Govt. Official, I mean Yaradual Brother in charge of NNPC had given official legitimacy to the activities of the militants in the Niger Delta. It would be better for Yaradual Govt. to call press conference and make its stand known to the Int’l Community to avoid further camouflagging as regarding the NIGER DELTA Issues.
Ay
24 July 2008 16:46IT IS HIGH TIME EVERYBODY WAKE UP. THIS CANNOT CONTINUE
willando
24 July 2008 16:56i pray to God to let the oil in that region dry off so this millitant and our arm robbers rulers will now go to another country and collect eguje
Thompson G.
24 July 2008 17:02$12million, $25million or $60million paid to militants group means more weapons, more pipeline blow out, more causalties, and more killing, more kidnapping and more uncertainity because more new militants groups will be form to partake in the sharing of dollars from booming miliantance profession in the already troubled region.God save Nigeria
Jim Bobokhai
24 July 2008 17:03When are we going to put an end to corruption in this country? I guess that the Government officials benefit more from this scam than the actual militants. May God save this country (Amen).
Kpaje
24 July 2008 17:12Why are we boxing ourselves to a corner? We can see that there will be no end to this lawless from these militant who are common criminals and not freedom fright. This is clear extortion and some Govt Officials are benefiting hence they will continue to call for dialogue. You can not have dialogue with criminals whose goal is for their personnal benefit. Unless the Govt changes their strategy and face these hoodlums with all the might the country can muster, we will not see the end. We fought a war before and if we need to do it again then we let us start and end it quickly. We should use the Isreali Govt strategy, any identified militant should have their home destroyed and I can assure you that the lawlessness will cease.
Alao-Akala
24 July 2008 17:12Oloriburuku ni awon ara niger delta. barawoooo
Don Mike
24 July 2008 17:27I think there is need to dig more facts into this issue…. There seems to be some contradiction in the report. We need to know who paid what to who. I am sure such payment was made through an account, and who are the beneficiaries until then we will be able to give accurate comment about the issue. The fact we refuse to understand in Niger Delta Problem is that their Leaders { Obis, Chiefs, and Political Leaders} are the problems of Niger delta. They are the ones stairing the water to catch fish. They only benefit and catch their profits when there is crisis… Also we should put into consideration the fact that the Management of NNPC might be part of the Benefit, just to justify the embezzlement and cover up their larceny. There is need for more investigation. I am sure we may end up having another Prof. Nike Grange in the Ministry. If actually the Honourable Minister endorsed the payments, let the Senate summon him to give account of the act. It will be disheartening when investigations are carried out that some here of Niger Deltan parading themself as Patriots are might be part of the largese. This will futher confirm that some of these noise makers calling themselves Pro- this—– Pro—that are all shouting for their stomach. That’s why someone would dine and wine with a Late head of state secretly and Condemn him openly in the name of Pro…… What a Shame. ….. Don Mike
chike nwadije
24 July 2008 17:27This is sad,very very sad.That Federal goverment is being arm twisted in this manner
chike nwadije
24 July 2008 17:28This is sad,very very sad.That a Federal goverment is being arm twisted in this manner
SIDON LOOK
24 July 2008 17:31we are in big shit!
'LAYIWOLA JIMOH
24 July 2008 17:49Oil discovery is a big cause on this country. Nigeria was better when we were developing through agricultural products, since the day oil was discovered, it has always been one problem or the other. l pray that the oil rigs dry off so that we could go back to status quo and start all over again.
May GOD have mercy on NIGERIA.
Oyenuga
24 July 2008 18:02This payment of “access fees” just to repair 36 holes by NNPC to militants shows that govt is merely wasting our resources and buying time sending the military to the Niger Delta. It is a mere grand-standing!!!!
If Yar’ dua can deal with militants why pay settlement of such huge sums?? This was not during Obasanjo regime, but Yar’adua’s!
Really all the talk of sending the miitary (dogs) after these boys (lions) is hog-wash, bullshit!!!!
This government is like a man who washes his wife’s boyfriend clothes in his closet and then goes out to boast he will deal with him. How dare you say you will deal with such a person that you fear.
All it shows is that this people are only after their appetite for ill gotten wealth and oil.
The ruling class are cowards really.
My advice to the British military is that the so called support you want to give the military is failed already. If you are giving mice a charm to go and hang around the neck of the cat, be certain the mice have the liver (like the Niger Deltans will say).
This mice (military) have been doing dishes for the cat (militants)
Godson
24 July 2008 18:50its unfortunate a government that petronizes militants. why won’t they continue since they now know that they have customers.
Gbenga Roberts
24 July 2008 19:03Rule of Law indeed. We are now seeing through the lies being fed daily to Nigerians. Its business as usual and its the Nigeria project that suffers. The NNPC Yar A’dua is well known to all contractors of NNPC as nothing more than a thief! Of course only a fool will not know that a lot less than was budgeted was given to the so-called economic militants who have no other name than thieves. They cause the trouble, stoke agitation, vandalise pipelines and come back to claim that they are fighting for the environment. Its the Grand deception on all sides. God help Nigeria. Its all about what everyone will grab
IYK
24 July 2008 19:05IT IS A BIG SHAME TO NIGERIANS HOME AND AWAY, FOR SOME DAY ARMED ROBBERS WILL GET THEM SELFS GODFATHERS AND GO HOUSE TO HOUSE TO DEMAND RANSOMS FROM ALL OF US IN THIS OUR OBODO 9JAR. NA WA FOR ALL OF UNA. BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!.
James
24 July 2008 19:23The minister should resign for approving it.
UGOGBUZUE
24 July 2008 19:27BRIBERY IS COMPLETELY LEGALISED IN MY BELOVED COUNTRY [GOD BLESS NIGERIA ]. THIS IS ANOTHER WAY FOR THE TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO STEAL MONEY IN THE NAME OF BRIBING MILITANTS. THOSE OFFICIALS SHOULD BE PROBED TO ESTABLISH THE ACTUAL AMOUNT INVOLVED.
MR PRESIDENT IT IS TIME TO DEVELOP NIGER DELTER STOP GIVING THEM PIECE MEAL.
tunde
24 July 2008 19:43They should all be arrested and tried for financing of terrorism ! I’m sure the International community has taken note.
john
24 July 2008 22:25its a shame
segun
25 July 2008 09:17Stop wasting the life of our soldiers and fooling the country…..lets know your plans,Yaradua and his so called co-workers are dilly dally. The guy should be impeached,he is not fit to rule this country.
How can some group of people who called themselves militant be disturbing the country economics ……i f it is war that will put an end to all this menace let be and let yaradua declare state of emergency in niger delta and use the period to fetch out the so called militants in the area………..this is a blow on the country that he cannot handy her inner problems
James Irikefe
25 July 2008 11:20This is nothing but pure deception on the side of our leaders. Evil is legalised in Nigeria. If government cannot fight crime, provide infrastructure what then is the FG doing for anyone, except , that those rule enrich themselves? the story is getting worse. May God help us.
TJ
25 July 2008 12:27The Militants are not interested in any development in Niger-Delta as they claim but interested in making monies for themselves and their sponsors. All the ransome monies they are collecting what are they doing with them?Let me explain what is actually happening in Niger- Delta, the Governors are involved and top politician too. They use the militants as cover-up to do their oil bunkering business.While the Federal Government is busy thinking of how to deal with the issue of militancy, these Governors and politicians are busy moving oil. Is it easy to aquire sophisticated weapon without high power connection? it is all diversionary move. They will be the ones to negotiate the release of hostages and then bring them to the Government houses and be feeling hip with themselve over what they planned and executed.Does the Fed, Govt really think the South South Governor made or making their monies through embezzlement of states monthly allocation?No it is bunkering business.The Fed Govt should look beyond the miscrants called freedom fighters of the region.They Should threaten the Governors state of emergency as they are in the know of what is happening.
TJ
25 July 2008 12:34The Militants are not interested in any development in Niger-Delta as they claim but interested in making monies for themselves and their sponsors. All the ransome monies they are collecting what are they doing with them?Let me explain what is actually happening in Niger- Delta, the Governors are involved and top politician too. They use the militants as cover-up to do their oil bunkering businesses.While the Federal Government is busy thinking of how to deal with the issue of militancy, these Governors and politicians are busy moving oil. Is it easy to acquire sophisticated weapons without high power connection? it is all diversionary move. They will be the ones to negotiate the release of hostages and then bring them to the Government houses and be feeling hip with themselve over what they planned and executed.Does the Fed, Govt really think the South South Governor made or making their monies through embezzlement of states monthly allocation?No it is bunkering business all the way.The Fed Govt should look beyond the miscrants called freedom fighters of the region.They Should threaten the Governors with the declaration of state of emergency as they are in the know of what is happening.
Mike
25 July 2008 12:37Militants my foot.It is a shame that NNPC should be petronizing them.
mike
25 July 2008 12:43Shame on you NNPC
Wunmi
25 July 2008 13:24For God sake, where do we keep appointing fools as ministers when we have intellectual with sound mind and courage to work for the development of this country ?
Imagine the rubbish a whole minister, NNPC GMD and others are saying , their argument always lack logical reasoning.
Common lay man will know before they end their tales about how they siphone public funds that, its cheap lies to cover up.
I think, it is only God who can safe us from all this leaders but its a pity that God will not come down to do it which means, revolution is around the corner.
Joe
25 July 2008 14:19The militants are common criminals who dont even care for their people. It is a big fruad