Presidency dismisses UK reports about Nigeria

The Presidency have described Ms Priti Patel, report on Nigeria as baseless and lacking in substance, saying that the Buhari’s administration recovered 1360% more cash than that of Peoples Democratic Party PDP’s 16 years.

The former secretary of state for International Development in the United Kingdom (UK) had in a recent published statement called on investors to be wary about investing in Nigeria.

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a late night statement said the “wicked proposition is lacking in substance and devoid of merit in empirical evidence, established by facts”

Shehu noted that her claim to the effect that despite the President’s public anti-corruption platform, Nigeria has not seen any reduction in corruption since Buhari took office, trumpeting a so-called Transparency International report, “ is a false fabrication that cannot be supported by the facts on the ground”

The statement said by the time President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in and took office, the only amount in the anti corruption recovery account over 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was only two billion Naira (N2 bn).

This account has succeeded in netting over four hundred billion Naira (N400 bn) as of today, translating to 1,360 percent increase. This cannot amount to nothing in terms of progress.

When it comes to Policy decisions, this government has put in place instruments that have extraordinarily and unprecedentedly reduced corruption and corrupt practices.
For example, the Treasury Single Account, TSA has led to greater visibility and control of government funds by way of consolidating government resources in an account as against the past where such accounts are scattered.

The Bank Verification Number, BVN scheme has equally helped the government to prevent money laundering,financing terrorism and illicit cash transfers.

According to the Presidential Spokesman, “ This administration has introduced the IPPS, which implementation has led to an extraordinary reduction of ghost workers, saving the treasury billions of Naira every month. The. Whistle Blower mechanism put n place has yielded enormously to the treasury and reduced corruption.

“In addition to several and urgent legislations targeted at the reduction of corruption, the administration has equally signed a number of highly rewarding Mutual Legal Assistance with a number countries that have translated to tremendous recoveries.”

Garba, had while dismissing the issue raised about the lack of security of investment, as equally false and untenable, said, Nigerian has recognized the right of the investor, both local and foreign, as enshrined in our constitution which states clearly that no investment can be taken from its owners without recourse to the law. Given the constitution, you don’t even need international protection for assets held in this country.

“In addition to the constitution, there exist several laws allowing protection for investments.”

Beyond this, he said, this administration has moved forward by recognizing arbitration processes.
He explained that the judiciary in the country has a Practice Code to give legitimacy to awards and arbitration clauses in agreements.
“Cumulatively, we have established a proper climate of investment on account of which, the nation has gained 24 points of excellence in the global ease of doing business index.
“As for the specific case of the agreement in 2010, between the NNPC and the P&ID for a 20-year contract to create a new natural gas development refinery, which appears to be her main issue, a project that fell through after a past Nigerian government reneged on its contractual commitments, we do not wish to plead the government’s case in the press.

“Suffice it to say that the government of Nigeria, in recognition of the sanctity of the judiciary, has submitted to the jurisdiction of a court in the United States to determine the issues in dispute.

What we can only say at this point is that Nigerians need to pity their own country for the way things were done in the past.

Garba claimed that “Before the coming of the Buhari administration, there existed in the country a racket encompassing elements in the three arms of government, the executive, legislature and the judiciary through the activities of which artificial, engineered and factored breaches of contract are made, judgments are obtained, appeals are delayed and the penalty imposed is paid and shared.”

“In the fullness of time, more will be said by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation.”