Daily Independent (Lagos)
26 November 2008
editorial
Prior to the riveting exchange of brickbats between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, not many Nigerians knew about the existence of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) talk less of the lofty objectives it was designed to accomplish - except, perhaps, a sprinkling of bureaucrats and persons with inside information.
The PTDF Account exploded with a bang on the consciousness of Nigerians because of its peculiarity: for the first ever, a sitting president and his deputy were accusing each other of financial wrongdoings with a surfeit of supporting documents.
From all indications, the PTDF Account was turned into a slush fund for all manner of inexplicable transactions brokered by wielders of power and influence who supposedly held high public offices in trust for the Nigerian people. Monies were allegedly approved and disbursed for non-existing institutions. Monies were also allegedly withdrawn to fund government projects such as the acquisition of computers for federal civil servants and the establishment of Galaxy backbone Plc aimed at providing Internet services to government ministries, departments and agencies.
The ensuing public outcry resulted in the setting up of a 13-member ad hoc committee under the chairmanship of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) to investigate the issues related to the PTDF. Unfolding salacious revelations at the public hearings conducted by the senate committee held Nigerians and foreigners spellbound as they provided an inkling of the high degree of rot and impunity attendant with the handling of public finances.
One thing was clear: as laudable as some of the projects financed with PTDF funds may be, they fell outside the agency's mandate. In addition, and perhaps more telling, the Fund was operated in complete violation of the existing rules and without the approval of the National Assembly. In fact, before the scandal broke and was foisted into the domain of public discourse, the National Assembly was completely in the dark about the existence of the PTDF Fund not to talk of exercising oversight functions.
The PTDF was originally established by a Decree (later an Act) in 1973 to manage, supervise, formulate and implement a host of intervention schemes in the key oil and gas sector as a way of redressing the huge skills deficit. Some of its past and continuing programmes include: Overseas Scholarship Scheme (where requisite skills are not available in Nigerian institutions of higher learning), Local Scholarship Scheme, and University Lecturers Enhancement Scheme.
Where adequate physical facilities constitute a cog in the wheel of effecting a robust needs-driven and sustainable human capacity in the oil and gas sector, the PTDF has been known to offer a valuable helping hand such as the upgrade of facilities at the Petroleum Training Institute and several universities and polytechnics.
As at today, full closure is yet to be brought to bear on the PTDF scandal. The investigative report by the senate ad hoc committee was steeped in controversy (a minority report was even submitted!). It was a moment when the integrity of most sitting senators was called into question because of perceived double standards in their handling of the issues at stake.
If any evidence is required for the contempt the report generated in government circles it can be readily found in the non-implementation of the ad hoc committee's recommendations! Upon assumption of office, President Yar'Adua immediately ordered a review of PTDF's operations but this has proved to be another gimmickry to win support from the public given the controversial polls that paved his way to office. The issues surrounding the PTDF are too important to be simply swept under the carpet. The Yar'Adua administration that has made due process and the rule of law its guiding principles has an ample opportunity in the PTDF case to walk the talk.
It is encouraging that the agency has largely put the ugly incidence behind it as it forges ahead to play its statutory role in the oil and gas industry. But we see a clear and present danger ahead; one if not nipped in the bud would embroil the agency in another round of negative publicity.
Ever since the establishment of the agency, we have noticed that the Executive Secretary has emanated from a particular divide of the country. This is in gross violation of the federal character principle enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. This would amount to providing another piece of ammunition to those already accusing this administration of a regional agenda. For the sake of equity, fair-play and adherence to constitutionalism, appointments into the Executive Secretary office of the PTDF must not only be above board but must be seen to be so.
PTDF: Lopsided Appointments And Other Matters Arising
Prior to the riveting exchange of brickbats between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, not many Nigerians knew about the existence of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) talk less of the lofty objectives it was designed to accomplish - except, perhaps, a sprinkling of bureaucrats and persons with inside information.
The PTDF Account exploded with a bang on the consciousness of Nigerians because of its peculiarity: for the first ever, a sitting president and his deputy were accusing each other of financial wrongdoings with a surfeit of supporting documents.
From all indications, the PTDF Account was turned into a slush fund for all manner of inexplicable transactions brokered by wielders of power and influence who supposedly held high public offices in trust for the Nigerian people. Monies were allegedly approved and disbursed for non-existing institutions. Monies were also allegedly withdrawn to fund government projects such as the acquisition of computers for federal civil servants and the establishment of Galaxy backbone Plc aimed at providing Internet services to government ministries, departments and agencies.
The ensuing public outcry resulted in the setting up of a 13-member ad hoc committee under the chairmanship of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) to investigate the issues related to the PTDF. Unfolding salacious revelations at the public hearings conducted by the senate committee held Nigerians and foreigners spellbound as they provided an inkling of the high degree of rot and impunity attendant with the handling of public finances.
One thing was clear: as laudable as some of the projects financed with PTDF funds may be, they fell outside the agency's mandate. In addition, and perhaps more telling, the Fund was operated in complete violation of the existing rules and without the approval of the National Assembly. In fact, before the scandal broke and was foisted into the domain of public discourse, the National Assembly was completely in the dark about the existence of the PTDF Fund not to talk of exercising oversight functions.
The PTDF was originally established by a Decree (later an Act) in 1973 to manage, supervise, formulate and implement a host of intervention schemes in the key oil and gas sector as a way of redressing the huge skills deficit. Some of its past and continuing programmes include: Overseas Scholarship Scheme (where requisite skills are not available in Nigerian institutions of higher learning), Local Scholarship Scheme, and University Lecturers Enhancement Scheme.
Where adequate physical facilities constitute a cog in the wheel of effecting a robust needs-driven and sustainable human capacity in the oil and gas sector, the PTDF has been known to offer a valuable helping hand such as the upgrade of facilities at the Petroleum Training Institute and several universities and polytechnics.
As at today, full closure is yet to be brought to bear on the PTDF scandal. The investigative report by the senate ad hoc committee was steeped in controversy (a minority report was even submitted!). It was a moment when the integrity of most sitting senators was called into question because of perceived double standards in their handling of the issues at stake.
If any evidence is required for the contempt the report generated in government circles it can be readily found in the non-implementation of the ad hoc committee's recommendations! Upon assumption of office, President Yar'Adua immediately ordered a review of PTDF's operations but this has proved to be another gimmickry to win support from the public given the controversial polls that paved his way to office. The issues surrounding the PTDF are too important to be simply swept under the carpet. The Yar'Adua administration that has made due process and the rule of law its guiding principles has an ample opportunity in the PTDF case to walk the talk.
It is encouraging that the agency has largely put the ugly incidence behind it as it forges ahead to play its statutory role in the oil and gas industry. But we see a clear and present danger ahead; one if not nipped in the bud would embroil the agency in another round of negative publicity.
Ever since the establishment of the agency, we have noticed that the Executive Secretary has emanated from a particular divide of the country. This is in gross violation of the federal character principle enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. This would amount to providing another piece of ammunition to those already accusing this administration of a regional agenda. For the sake of equity, fair-play and adherence to constitutionalism, appointments into the Executive Secretary office of the PTDF must not only be above board but must be seen to be so.
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