Saturday, 18 May 2013
“They Kidnapped My Mom Over the Fuel Subsidy!” Okonjo-Iweala Declares In Wild Claim
Federal minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and mom
By SaharaReporters, New York
Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a shocking accusation, declared that the kidnappers of her 83 year old mother were seeking revenge for the government’s decision to end popular gas subsidies.
After a press conference at which she thanked the country for its prayers for her mother’s safe return, she took a sudden turn and launched into a vitriolic attack on presumed members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party of President Goodluck Jonathan who had thwarted her plans to eliminate the oil payments.
"They told (my mother) that I must get on the radio and television and announce my resignation," the minister said. "When she asked why, they told her it was because I did not pay oil subsidy money."
Okonjo-Iweala's mother, Kamene Okonjo, was kidnapped Dec. 9 from her hometown of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State. During her time held captive, Okonjo received no food or water, her daughter said.
Okonjo-Iweala declined to take questions from journalists at the conference. Her mother was released by her kidnappers Friday. It is unclear if a ransom was paid, though most abductions in Nigeria only end once a payment is made.
As finance minister, Okonko-Iweala was behind a government decision in January 2012 to end subsidies for gasoline, a decision that sparked a major nationwide strike and widespread protests by affected citizens in what some called “Occupy Nigeria.” President Jonathan later reinstated a partial subsidy.
The subsidies are opposed by international finance organization because they are used pay off companies at inflated rates to bring in gasoline because Nigeria does not refine enough oil to meet demand. The oil is then sold at below-market prices.
Gasoline importation licenses are widely seen as a means of patronage, as the number of companies involved jumped from six in 2006 to 140 in 2011. In 2009, when there were 36 companies licensed to import, government officials once issued about $800 million in 128 transactions in a 24-hour period without proper documentation, according to the report.
In recent months, Okonjo-Iweala has again said the subsidy must be entirely removed because the country cannot afford it. That has led to panic gasoline buying and fuel shortages around the country as importers have held back from bringing it in. Citizens also believe the fuel subsidies represent the only benefit they see from the country's oil production, which has benefited the nation's kleptocratic ruling class for decades, according to many reports.
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HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Submitted by Kay Ferre (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 18:53.
Now i know why America never supported her to be World Bank president,she is so full of herself,and she thinks everybody will swallow all the nonsense she is talking about.One,we know that money exchange hands,amount ? We dont even want to know.But there is also possibility that the kidnap scenario was a set up,you cant believe everything that comes out of that country,they are just playing games with the people,they want sympathy form the people and all because of the monumental subsidy scam going on.One thing i know is the Government is doing there level best to have adequate reason to increase fuel price.So my people watch out...Dont just move with the flow,think deep,'cause the leaders you have always want to be one step ahead.
you must be blind
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 17:17.
you must be blind
Who is this Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?
Submitted by MyHead (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 12:37.
Find out who Okonjo-Iweala is and represents by looking at these articles which I consider brilliant analyses of her stewardship in Nigeria's public service:
http://www.ugowrite.blogspot.com/2012/01/nigeria-return-of-ngozi-okonjo-...
http://saharareporters.com/column/oh-ngozi
http://saharareporters.com/column/ngozi-iweala-nigeria%E2%80%99s-weakest...
mum is looking younger than the daughter
Submitted by the hit (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 12:22.
Mum is not in PDP. She doesn't think about how to steal from Nigeria
how much did dey pay for ransom ?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 11:15.
believe me we are being rule by unrelible people in this contry, i knw those people that abduct her mother will never free her for free, pls let the woman tell us how much she paid for the ransom, so that we will all know that even our leaders are no capable of giving us protection. fooolish leaders
Be objective
Submitted by positive vibrations (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 10:51.
Really I see no reason why people come online to post comments from their back side. What has this woman said to deserve abuse? She is fighting corruption and corruption is hitting back. I think what she deserves is support and prayers.
Why are they not abusing the oil thieves? How much of the over 1trillion spent on subsidy this year got to the poor man on the steet? How much of this got to the thieves? Let us reason b/4 we post comments on national issues. sahara is not helping matters, report issues without bias, madam did not accuse PDP but the oil marketers.
The same marketer will divert subsidy fuel and sell at N150 to N200 per ltr or more, yet you open your mouth to abuse a lady who is fighting them. The earlier we stop this wastage call subsidy, the better for Nigeria.
Be objective
Submitted by positive vibrations (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 10:31.
Really I see no reason why people come online to post comments from their back side. What has this woman said to deserve abuse? She is fighting corruption and corruption is hitting back. I think what she deserves is support and prayers.
Why are they not abusing the oil thieves? How much of the over 1trillion spent on subsidy this year got to the poor man on the steet? How much of this got to the thieves? Let us reason b/4 we post comments on national issues. sahara is not helping matters, report issues without bias, madam did not accuse PDP but the oil marketers.
The same marketer will divert subsidy fuel and sell at N150 to N200 per ltr or more, yet you open your mouth to abuse a lady who is fighting them. The earlier we stop this wastage call subsidy, the better for Nigeria.
I Don't Buy It
Submitted by Amene (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 10:04.
There are so many holes in her assertion:
1. If Kamene was kidnapped over her daughter's refusal, has the subsidy been paid before the same kidnappers let her walk? If it has not been paid, why did they turn around to set her free? Her assertion doesn't hold!
2. Just last week, GEJ asked for N161bn for subsidy saying the money budgeted for subsidy in 2012 has been exhausted. Which unpaid subsidy was her mum held over that we have billions going out to subsidy?
3. .... Many more unanswered questions.
To me, this is simply a sympathy seeking ploy; to make Nigeerians believe she is doing the right thing removing subsidy, that's why she is been persecuted.
I wont bite this bait.
Okonjo-iweala
Submitted by ugo (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 07:55.
There are lots of subjective useless idiot writing rubbish here.Unemployment in Nigeria started 35 years ago.thats why every Nigerian is travelling out of Nigeria.That woman of 82 years you are calling ugly.you have coursed yourself and your family,because you will never attain even half of that age.Some of you guys should be very careful of what you say,to avoid bringing eternal couese to yourself and your family.
This woman is not as
Submitted by Netanyahu (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 06:54.
This woman is not as intelligent as I thought. If truly you believed this was why your old mother was kidnapped, then we are being governed by a very treacherous, dishonest bunch. You think everything is ok in Nigeria save for the subsidy nonsense? That we have had over 13 years of uninterrupted 'democracy' and have not solved one single problem inherited from the military says much about our RULERS. Nigeria is sick and that you people in power do not realize that frighens me. If removing fuel subsidy is all the solution you know, go ahead and remove it. But be warned that you do not cut off your head because you have headache.
enough said
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 05:33.
You inclusive......deviating from the subject matter,enough said.
The unemployed youths kidnapped ur mum
Submitted by HGC (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 05:00.
Madam, the unemployed youths kidnapped your mother. The harsh, wicked and untimely policy through the removal of fuel subsidy has brought untold hardship to the poor masses. you may not understand the pain this policy has inflicted on nigerians. may God help us from this corrupt government
Terrible
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 18, 2012 - 02:00.
Terrible. Well Nigeria is a drama.
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@Dele Cole, you may have a point!
Submitted by Anonymity (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 23:27.
@Dele Cole, you may have a point here:
Why Okonjo-Iweala was sacked by Obasanjo - "figure of $34 billion in foreign put forward in 2006 by her office and that of the former Governor of Central Bank, Charles Soludo was disputed by Senator Farouk Bello Munza who maintained that the figure was about $9 billion.
Nwadike maintained that Obasanjo discovered that the firm that brokered the $12 Billion debt buy back deal had links with Okonjo Iweala . He alleged that ex minister's sibling was a a top official of the firm, which got about $2 Billion as commission from the deal.
"..This woman had collected her salaries in dollars. About $2billion was paid as commission to the company that facilitated that debt buy back. The company is owned by her siblings..If you check the records of the Paris Club and World Bank you will find the owners."
http://www.pointblanknews.com/News/os5512.html
DOG AKPOS 1!
Submitted by SAULAWA (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 23:17.
why are u so eger to makes comment on nigerian division.Cant you read and understand?Was this story having any links with division of the country?This shows that you were paid for this stupidness.So keep this at the back of your mind that this country division is above your standards and your sponsors.But God will punish all of you that are trying to cause trouble and division to this nation and provide the hell fire for you and your sponsors.As you have stat seeing it now.Do yo think those kidnerpers are from north or hausa falani?YOU HAVE TO MIND YOUR LANGUAGE.
Engage your brain first!
Submitted by ese otaks (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 22:37.
I suspect that some commentators and even writers here have a rigid mindset about the going on s in Nigeria that they write off anything that comes from the government officials. The minister is repeating what her mother who was kidnapped told her and SR says it is wild claim and many guys here are just yammering about some other things.It appears that many commentators here like the fleecing of the nation by a few cabal in the name of fuel subsidy. Some objectivity here would help provide better knowledge of the forced union called Nigeria.
The Mum is Looking Younger than the Daughter - how can ?
Submitted by The VULTURE - King of offals (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 22:17.
Just for laffs - the mum is jet black haired while the daughter is spotting gray hairs!
What is wrong with that?
Simple - a country of JOKERS!
NGOZI...PUFF PUFF MOUTH DEY CRAZE!!!
Submitted by JAGAJAGA (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 22:06.
SEE YOUR AKPU MOUTH. YOUR HEAD NO CORRECT.INSTEAD OF YOU TO THANK GOD DAT DEM RELEASE YOUR UGLY MAMA, YOU DEY SEEK SYMPATHY. FOOLISH GIRL. WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE LARGELY UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS, AND ALL THOSE MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS DYING EVERYDAY FROM HUNGER BCOS OF YOUR SELFISH POLICIES?. ENNN? UGBOOOPIAFUKUAGU ISI. ISI EWU LIKE U. ANU OFIA.
How about all the other victims?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 21:38.
So they kidnapped your mom because you are fighting the subsidy thieves? Why did they release her? Did you stop your fight against the subsidy thieves? All the other kidnapped victims was because............ Swear by whatever god you serve that you are not aware of any ransom paid? Swear! This woman is full of baloney! The govt. you represent has made nija a living hell for the youth. We remember you lame excuse for the phantom subsidy during the debate in Lagos. who are you fooling!
The British Government should be tried at The Hague .....
Submitted by akpos1 (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 21:28.
For the error of 1914, the British Govt & the Queen should be tried at the world court in The Hague. Even the bones on Lord Lugard should be exhumed for trial. This is a very serious issue.
Why bring different countries together as one country? Can that ever work?
Verily verily I say unto you, Nigeria is not a country but a continent. Break up NOW!!!
Long live the United States of the SS&SE
Puffy cheeks
Submitted by Naijaninja (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 21:26.
This woman has come again with her pedestrian rantings! So much for a so called Harvard graduate. The economic hit (wo)man with her puffy cheeks should continue with her efforts at sabotaging her fatherland in the guise of liberalisation. The chickens will soon come home to roost.
Okonjo-Iweala is no HEROINE!!!!
Submitted by Dele Cole (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 21:17.
This Finance minister will pay.. One thing we all know is that she is corrupt... There is no one that can vouch for this woman that she is not corrupt.. Does anyone think she is only going through all this because of her salary? She will choke on the money she is collecting and looting very soon....Judgement has begun!!!
Madam Minister, if you love your mother, leave her out of this!!!
It's a lie
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 21:13.
Please Mrs Okonjo Iweala, they kidnapped your mom because of chronic unemployment in Nigeria, not oil subsidy. Youth unemployment rate in Delta State is above 70% and this alone, is a disaster waiting to happen. Don't lie please!
There is massive corruption in the government you are part of. You arranged for the payment of our national debts under Obasanjo and right now under President Jonathan, you're borrowing another money from China to share among yourselves instead of creating more jobs for Nigerians.These jobless youths are the ones that gave you sleepless night.
But if you want to blame it on fuel subsidy, you can go ahead, after all, we have free speech in Nigeria.
vitriolic what?
Submitted by maawitemi (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 21:08.
I can not see the vitriolic attacks on the presumed members of the ruling pdp o sahara
LIAR
Submitted by Truth Hurts (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 20:57.
She thinks we are all fools. Serving a clueless and visionless Government, this opportunist Minister thinks she can hoodwink all of us into believing this cock and bull story. Instead of her to direct her effort in combating Government corruption, she's busy going to town with this disgraceful claim that subsidy issue was at the heart of her mother's kidnap. Absolute trash madam. Continue being part of a Regime that is as useless as anything and you'll see how posterity will judge you and your evil policies. Wicked, thieving opportunists.
NGOZI S MOTHER
Submitted by D (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 20:40.
Just go ahead and root all out Ngozi, God will protect your generations/
SR BE OBJECTIVE IN YOUR REPORTING
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 17, 2012 - 20:18.
SR YOUR REPORT SAYS OKONJO IWEALLA'S CLAIMS ARE WILD. THAT IS NOT AN OBJECTIVE STATEMENT. ARE YOU THE KIDNAPPERS? HOW CAN YOU DISPUTE A CLAIM AS BEING WILD WHEN THE DAUGHTER OF THE VICTIM WHO HAS APPARENTLY SPOKEN TO HER MOTHER MADE THAT STATEMENT. I LIKE THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING IN EXPOSING CORRUPTION. BUT PLS MAINTAIN YOUR OBJECTIVITY.
