Since Alison-Madueke’s appointment as a Minister in 2007, her activities have been devoid of integrity, transparency, accountability, and probity required of a public official in Nigeria.
This is to call on Your Excellency, to immediately ensure the termination of the job of Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as the Alternate President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Mrs. Alilson-Madueke who has served in different capacities as an appointed public official in Nigeria since 2007, was elected during the 164th meeting of the OPEC conference in Vienna, Austria on December 4, 2013.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
Even though Nigerians are always excited to have one of their own occupy such international offices, in this particular case of Mrs. Alison-Madueke, based on her performance and reputation in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, according to one NGO, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, "it is feared that her occupation of higher position of influence might not only be detrimental to Nigeria’s image but injurious to overall OPEC operations and reputation."
In fact, it has been very worrisome that since Alison-Madueke’s appointment as a Minister in 2007, her activities have been devoid of integrity, transparency, accountability and probity required of a public official in Nigeria.
This demand has become imperative in view of a plethora of corruption and underhand dealing allegations swirling around her stewardship as Nigeria's oil Minister. Besides the alleged non-remittance of $20billion to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, whose board she chairs, she is currently battling to explain how she allegedly squandered a whopping sum of N10billion on private jets in two years to ferry herself and her family members within and outside Nigeria.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });
Other reports from committees empanelled by the Federal Government that have found her wanting include but not limited to NEITI, KPMG, Farouk Lawan, Aig-Aigboje Imhokuede and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, which all arrived at similar conclusions about her.
Above all, the reports provided far-reaching insight into the pervasive corruption bedeviling the nation's petroleum industry, ranging from illegal violation of OPEC quota for Nigeria, to outright falsification of the exchange rates used for settling government oil revenue, to illegal exploitation of the fuel subsidy regime. The reports are clear and unequivocal in their observations and conclusions.
As a result of these reports, it would be wise for you to cause her to step aside to be able to answer to the allegations. She needs to step aside until she is able to clear herself and the NNPC of the allegations of unremitted $20 billion made against the corporation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Even though the Federal Government has commissioned a forensic audit of the NNPC account to determine the whereabout of the money, her continual stay as the Alternate President in your reputable organization, may make you vicariously complicit in the matter.
The CSNAC had in a petition to you hinted that "At several times, Nigerians have called for the removal or resignation of Mrs. Madueke, if indeed a person of honour, but all cries have fallen on deaf ears. Our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is perceived to have a soft spot for the lady and a few others with penchant for corruption. It is clear nothing can happen to her under this dispensation.
"We understand that in the current regime, justice is not being appropriated in our country but we have a resolute belief in the ability of the International Community to ensure sanity and sanctity in actions and operations at that level. Allowing Ms. Alison-Madueke to function in such position will only broaden her circle of perpetual corruption and lack of transparency.
"Hence, we are demanding that Ms. Alison-Madueke be removed immediately as Alternate President of the OPEC before she causes Nigeria another monumental embarrassment which will indelibly leave our tails behind our legs.... In the alternative, OPEC should suspend her from office, pending the outcome of a high level international investigation, to be commissioned by the OPEC, to verify allegations contained in this petition.
"Therefore, with her abysmal performance in different offices at the national level, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is undeserving of that international position and should not be allowed to pollute the integrity of OPEC in her position as the alternate president of OPEC."
Based on the lack-lustre performance and reputation in her present job as the Minister of Petroleum, her election into such a lofty position is not only detrimental to Nigeria’s image but injurious to the overall OPEC operations and reputation.
I humbly appeal that this issue be made a part of your agenda for your 165th (Ordinary) OPEC Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on 11th June 2014. Sir, I am fully prepared to make myself available to defend the assertions contained in this letter during the meeting, if I be so required by Your Excellency.
Thanks for your earliest action on this matter.
With best regards.
Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
08070888888
OPEN LETTER TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF OPEC
The Secretary-General,
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),
Helferstorferstrasse 17, A-1010,
Vienna, Austria.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });