Encomium
It is not yet uhuru for embattled Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as the House of Representatives commences probe on the N10billion jet scandal on June 17 till 19,2014.
Information available to ENCOMIUM Weekly revealed hat the House of Representatives has set aside June 17, 18 and 19 June for the commencement of the probe of the alleged charter private jet scandal by the Minister.
The House, Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which was saddled with the responsibility of the probe, has so far collated evidences from Jet Hanger and Vistajet, two private companies connected to the jet charter deal. It has also received memos from undisclosed whistle blowers, who have indicated interest to appear before the committee to testify. Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, disclosed.
He said fresh sets of invitations have been prepared and will be sent out to invitees ahead of the period slated for the hearing in about two weeks.
Other stakeholders expected to appear before the committee are Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA) and other relevant agencies in the aviation industry.
He stated that there is no need for them to develop cold feet over the conduct of the probe and its outcome, saying the committee will turn in its report on the floor of the House before the House goes on recess for annual break by the end of July.
Zakari however rejected allegations that the House has been compromised and cannot carry on with the probe, saying, “These are imaginary aspersions about favours exchanging hands. But I want to say the House is clean”
The controversial jet that Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke allegedly spent N10 billion on is a N5.1 billion 19 seater Bombardier Challenger 850. ENCOMIUM Weekly’s check revealed that the Bombardier Challenger 850 is the largest super-mid size business aircraft offered by Bombardier Aerospace. It is based on Bombardier’s 50-seat CRJ200LR. The Challenger 850 is the updated, current version. The expensive toy provides the ideal solution to the all too common commercial travel problems of high costs and lost time. With one of the largest, most productive and comfortable corporate cabins available today, the Challenger 850 aircraft offers a uniquely spacious environment in which to work, relax or prepare for the business at hand. It is adaptable to your individual needs, with customized interiors that address your every requirement with thoughtful attention.
The Challenger 850 aircraft is the quintessential aircraft for our demanding times, with the most expansive cabin in the converted airliner business jet category. Its flat floor and stand-up cabin height make it easy to move about. The cabin’s generous width helps create the ideal environment for a full range of special mission requirement. It is manned by two expatriate pilots, four cabin crew members. The jet was acquired in 2012, and it was reported that due to its nature and travelling schedule of the amiable minister, she spent N130 million on maintenance and travelling charges monthly. Thus, she has spent over N4billion.
Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke is being alleged to be wasting billions from public purse to maintain a private aircraft.
A group, Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan against the minister whom they described as celebrated but most controversial in the history of Nigeria, said she has committed up to N3.120 billion in maintaining the jet devoted to family businesses alone.
CAP requested Jonathan to immediately launch a probe into the ownership, maintenance and usage of the Challenger 850 Jet marked OE-ILA which was domiciled at one of the private hangars in a Nigerian airport in the last two years.
About 15 months ago, there were similar reports in the media linking a minister to a private jet impounded by the French government carrying a business associate of top public officers on suspicion that the jet-a Bombardier Global Express XRS- belongs to the public officer. The jet was discovered to have been purchased by the Bank of Utah Trustee in June 2012, through the same process that was also used in purchasing private jets for the governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.
The petition signed by Abdul Malik Masaya and John Obande Anihiru, a copy of which was made available to the Economic Confidential said CAP has “Impeachable records which confirms that the super minister has been frittering away scarce Nigerian resources in maintaining the Challengers 850 Aircraft at one of the private Hangars in the Nigerian airports in the last two years.
“The incontrovertible evidence we have is that the Minister has been committing €500,000 (N130 million) monthly to maintaining the aircraft in the last two years. Thus, in two years, the Minister had committed the sum of N3.120 billion to keeping the jet which is for personal use and that of the Minister’s family alone”, and thus demanded “a thorough probe” of this allegation should start from the FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. The agencies have records of all the trips the Challenger 850 jet made on the payroll of one of the nation’s top revenue earning agencies.
That’s aside the charges incurred by several unscheduled travel to several countries along with some family members which have reportedly accumulated up to N2billion. Thus, the acquisition, maintenance and travelling charges all summed up to about N10billion.
Consequently, she is facing Reps probe for spending N3.120 billion on air charter services. The Public Accounts Committee of the House on Thursday, March 20, 2014, set up a committee to examine whether Mrs. Alison-Madueke, one of the most controversial members of President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet, has spent N10 billion of state funds in the last two years to charter, operate and maintain a jet for her personal use.
The lawmaker who tabled the motion for approval, Samuel Adejare, representing Lagos State, said the allegation was based on “Reliable evidence” indicating that Mrs. Alison-Madueke has committed about €500,000 (N130 million) monthly to maintain the aircraft, solely for her personal needs and those of her immediate family.
Mr. Adejare said preliminary investigations prove that the financing for the Challenger 850 aircraft was drawn from government funds. He said the expenditure would be only “A tip of the iceberg” as several other billions of naira may have been frittered on flying the jet all over the world “obviously for the leisure” of the minister and her immediate family.
“This colossal waste is currently estimated at N10 billion which include the payment of allowances to the crew for the trips, hanger parking and rent based on the lease agreement,”
“If government could be bankrolling this waste in the face of ever dwindling public resources, it amounts to a misplacement of priority, impudence and breach of public trust, an action that offends the Fiscal Responsibility Act and all other Laws on fiscal discipline in Nigeria.” Mr. Adejare said.
If confirmed by the House, the spending will only fall amongst some of the government’s most outlandish expenditure, for a nation with an overwhelming unemployment rate, and dwindling revenue.
It would however be hardly surprising for a minister indicted of maladministration by several reports. Mrs. Alison-Madueke is currently at the centre of an allegation of a missing $20 billion oil proceeds raised by suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi. President Jonathan has brushed aside several calls for Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s removal.
The motion in the House of Representatives Thursday, was approved with an overwhelming voice vote. The sole opposition to the resolution, Friday Itulah, who represents Edo State, was disallowed by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, who explained that the House does not permit debate on such motions until after an investigation has been carried out. The committee on public finance is to investigate the allegation and present its findings to the House within two weeks.
-FEMI OYEWALE
