Turaki A. Hassan — Multinational oil companies operating in this country are suspected of having bribed some members of Senate oil sector committees in order to influence their inputs during debate on the Petroleum Sector Reform Bill now before the National Assembly, the Senate's official spokesman said in Abuja yesterday.
Speaking shortly after the plenary session, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North) said he was wrong to have denied the allegation when he first spoke to reporters on the matter on Tuesday.
He said, "You will remember that when I spoke with you yesterday about the issues concerning the committees in the petroleum sector within the National Assembly, I did tell you that it is false that some of them would have undertaken the trips that they alleged in the newspapers that they undertook.
I need to say clearly that we have found out unfortunately and regrettably that there was an attempt by some private sector organizations to lobby members of the National Assembly on the bill that is before the National Assembly, and we found out today that some members of the National Assembly did go to Ghana, and we are also not very happy with the development because section 21 of our standing rules specify categorically that before you can travel abroad for whatever reason you must write to the leadership of the Senate, stating the purpose, stating the duration of your stay and stating the address where you are going to stay."
Section 21 of the Senate standing rules reads, "A senator going abroad shall so inform the President of the Senate, indicating the purpose, the time of his stay abroad and his contact address."
Senator Eze said the ten senators that travelled to Ghana contravened the provision of the section by failing to notify the leadership before embarking on the trip allegedly sponsored by the multinational oil companies.
Senate therefore resolved to investigate the matter through its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which was mandated to conduct a public hearing. Eze said any senator found culpable in the charge will face disciplinary action.
"I want to assure Nigerians that the investigations and the public hearing by that committee will be carried live and if any senator is found wanting in any way, that senator shall stand alone. If any senator is found wanting of having committed any misdeed or enriched him or herself or indulge in anything that is unethical, that senator shall stand alone and that is the decision of the Senate," Eze said.
Special Adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar'adua on Petroleum Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah had earlier accused senators of receiving bribes from oil companies in order to dump the Petroleum Reform Bill. He was reported to have said, "The oil companies are carrying campaigns, taking the senators to Ghana to feed them, going to the labour people to bribe them and saying that this reform is going to kill you and all that nonsense."
Though senator Eze did not mention names of senators that made the trip to Ghana, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) Senator Lee Maeba who did not make the trip, said "When they returned from Ghana, I discussed with distinguished Senator Amange: 'How was it?' I have not received official brief from those who went to Ghana. But Senator Amange is even lamenting why he went there because there were even issues of estacode not paid to them and a lot of other issues and they had to return a day before they were supposed to return."
Other senators reported to have made the trip include Mohammed Kabir Jibril (Kaduna Central), Mohammed Mohammed (Bauchi Central), Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa), Adamu Sidi Ali (FCT), Dahiru Awaisu Kuta (Niger East), Joseph Akargerger (Benue), Enyinaya Abaribe (Abia), Felix Bajomo (Ogun) and Tawar Umbi Wada (Gombe).
In another twist to the case, members of the House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) yesterday subjected President Umaru Yar'adua's Special Assistant on Petroleum Matters, Emmanuel Egboga to serious scrutiny over his allegation that senators and members received bribes from major oil companies to frustrate the passage of the Petroleum Sector Reform bill.
At the session, the lawmakers took their turn to lambast the presidential aide for making the allegation. Chairman of the Petroleum Committee [Downstream] Bassey Otu expressed the lawmakers' embarrassment and sought an unreserved rebuttal if the statement attributed to Mr. Egboga was actually true.
He said unless the issues bordering on bribery were cleared, Nigerians and others may go home with a negative impression of the National Assembly.
Otu said, "We have summoned you here on issues that border on the integrity of the Committees (Up and Downstream) and the House of Representatives as a whole. This matter is regarding statements made in the papers last week by you.
"We in the House realized quite early that we had cases of poor funding in the industry. We feel there were problems with the abuse of the Joint Venture Cash calls. We also realized that there were lack of incentives and investments in the local content. We realized that laws in the sector were obsolete and we proposed amendments. Ever since I came into this House we have been guided by due process. We are at no time guided by players in the industry. The House wants to find out exactly what you said before we leave the floor for further questions. The House cannot tolerate the blackmail of the National Assembly by anybody."
But Mr. Egboga denied the report, saying reporters quoted him out of context. He admitted to saying that the legislators could be lobbied, but not bribed, to pass a bill.
"I will like to start by apologizing profusely for the embarrassment this publication in the Punch newspapers has caused you. I have profound respect for the National Assembly and your efforts in the on-going reforms of the oil and gas sector. I was not properly quoted in the publication", he told the committee members.
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1. The Bakken Oil Field Find
2. 55 gallon drums fulls of unprocessed diamonds.
* These are just a few of the suppressed world riches this beautiful world created by God (Jehovah, Father of Jesus Christ)..
3. Minister Lindsey Williams has known for 30 years of a major oil find in Alaska.
* He says that he sat in on meetings of the rich and powerful. These men decided not to use this oil to help America.
* Beware Africans, the wolves of deception are always around riches.
* Hosea said we perish for two reasons. Most people only remember one reason why we perish.
- Hosea said MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
- AND because they REJECT KNOWLEDGE
- In other words, they DONT KNOW & THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW !!!!
4. For those who want to know I suggest you guys who can get the Internet do these things :
a) Listen to broadcasts like : Alex Jones (Infowars), Derry Brownfield, The Power Hour (Joyce & Dave), Jeff Rense, and other broadcasts on the Genesis Communications Network.
b) Heres an appetizer of information on the subjects I have just written on : Do a search use IX Quick search engine .They dont record your computers address ; protect your privacy [ http://ixquick.com/] Here are three(s) separate subjects that I mentioned that you can search for (i) Bakken Oil Field Find (ii) Lindsey Williams (YouTube videos) (iii) Janine Roberts :Glitter & Greed : The Secret World of The Diamond Cartel
Our only enemies are in Hell , waiting for their life-sentence of damnation.
You are in my prayers. Pray for each other too
Have Faith in God and Love for each other. May The Lord God Bless You real good
[This inspiring poem was featuring in the movie Coach Carter ]
Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.
We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?
Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.
Your Playing Small Doesnt Serve The World.
There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Wont Feel Insecure Around You.
We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.
We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.
Its Not Just In Some Of Us; Its In Everyone.
And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.
And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others
- Marianne Williamson -
[NOTE BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WONT STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]
(Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )
God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .
God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.
From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
[Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/]
WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS !
BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]
1. The Bakken Oil Field Find
2. 55 gallon drums fulls of unprocessed diamonds.
* These are just a few of the suppressed world riches this beautiful world created by God (Jehovah, Father of Jesus Christ)..
3. Minister Lindsey Williams has known for 30 years of a major oil find in Alaska.
* He says that he sat in on meetings of the rich and powerful. These men decided not to use this oil to help America.
* Beware Africans, the wolves of deception are always around riches.
* Hosea said we perish for two reasons. Most people only remember one reason why we perish.
- Hosea said MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
- AND because they REJECT KNOWLEDGE
- In other words, they DONT KNOW & THEY DONT WANT TO KNOW !!!!
4. For those who want to know I suggest you guys who can get the Internet do these things :
a) Listen to broadcasts like : Alex Jones (Infowars), Derry Brownfield, The Power Hour (Joyce & Dave), Jeff Rense, and other broadcasts on the Genesis Communications Network.
b) Heres an appetizer of information on the subjects I have just written on : Do a search use IX Quick search engine .They dont record your computers address ; protect your privacy [ http://ixquick.com/] Here are three(s) separate subjects that I mentioned that you can search for (i) Bakken Oil Field Find (ii) Lindsey Williams (YouTube videos) (iii) Janine Roberts :Glitter & Greed : The Secret World of The Diamond Cartel
Our only enemies are in Hell , waiting for their life-sentence of damnation.
You are in my prayers. Pray for each other too
Have Faith in God and Love for each other. May The Lord God Bless You real good
[This inspiring poem was featuring in the movie Coach Carter ]
Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.
We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?
Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.
Your Playing Small Doesnt Serve The World.
There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Wont Feel Insecure Around You.
We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.
We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.
Its Not Just In Some Of Us; Its In Everyone.
And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.
And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others
- Marianne Williamson -
[NOTE BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WONT STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]
(Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )
God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .
God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.
From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
[Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/]
WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS !
BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]