Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,
By Ahamefule Ogbu
After his dalliance with the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and contesting on the party’s platform as its presidential candidate, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has accepted to serve the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government as the chairman of a Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force.
The 21-man task force was yesterday instituted by the Federal Government and has former Head of Service, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, as its deputy chairman.
Unveiling the body, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Goni M. Sheikh, said in a press statement that the action was taken to address the demands of Nigerians regarding probity in the petroleum sector.
Sheik said: “Consistent with the policies and promises of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration, and underpinned by the yearnings of the people of Nigeria for transparency in the petroleum industry, the Minister of Petroleum Resources has set up a Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force designed to enhance probity and accountability in the operations of the petroleum industry.”
The body, which has 13 other prominent Nigerians and representatives of six federal agencies, include former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Professor Olusegun Okunnu.
Others are Mallam Abba Kyari, Ms. Benedicta Molokwu, Mr. Supo Sasore, Mr. Tony Idigbe and Mr. Anthony George-Ikoli.
Also listed as members are Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji, Mr. Bon Otti, Mallam Samaila Zubairu, Mr. Ignatius Adegunle and Mr. Gerald Ilukwe.
It has representatives of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), OAGF, and HAGF/HMJ as ex-officio members.
The fask force’s terms of reference are: • To work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes, royalties, etc.) due and payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria;
• To take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owing;
• To obtain agreements and enforce payment terms by all oil industry operators;
• To design a cross debt matrix between all agencies and parastatals of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources;
• To develop an automated platform to enable effective tracking, monitoring, and online validation of income and debt drivers of all
parastatals and agencies in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources;
• To work with world-class consultants to integrate systems and technology across the production chain to determine and monitor crude oil production and exports, ensuring at all times, the integrity of payments to the Federal Government of Nigeria; and
• To submit monthly reports for ministerial review and further action.
Sources close to Ribadu said he had been under intense local and international pressure to render service to the nation, especially in the corruption-ridden oil sector.
But he has repeatedly excused himself, giving his ongoing United Nations assignment in Afghanistan as evidence that he was extremely busy.
He had reportedly said he was not opposed to serving the nation in any capacity to advance good governance, but was concerned about stretching himself thin because of his commitments to the UN assignment.
When more pressure was brought to bear last month in the wake of the national outrage over the removal of subsidy on petrol, he was unreachable because family sources said he was at a Manchester Hospital in the UK to visit his only sister who was ill.
But THISDAY learnt that with the Afghan assignment coming to an end, and its report ready to be submitted, Ribadu started getting calls again. Family sources said that it is very likely that he will accept the assignment.