Revealed! Why OBJ, Odili Loaned FG N2bnRevealed! Why OBJ, Odili Loaned FG N2bnFrom ADEMOLA ADEDEJI Abuja
More startling revelations emerged Tuesday from the Senate committee probing the disbursement of the N19.5 billion Aviation intervention fund as a former Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Alhaji Yusufu Mohammed alleged that former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili and the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo loaned the Federal Government N2billion.
The money which the former FAAN boss said could not be categorized as either a loan or a dash was sourced from the monthly allocation due to the state.
The disbursement of the fund, according to Alhaji Yusufu, was approved by the former Minister of Aviation, Professor Babalola Borisade.
The funds, ostensibly meant to renovate the Port Harcourt International Airport was, according to Alhaji Yusufu, granted by Obasanjo, Odili and Borishade, without carrying along the agency in charge of the airports.
Since the public hearing opened, reference has always been made by witnesses to the N2 billion given to the sector by the Rivers State Government for the upgrading of the Airport's tower and runway, but no witness has ever claimed that it was a dash.
The witness Tuesday alleged that the plan to renovate the airport was aimed at furthering the presidential ambition of the former Rivers State governor who was then one of the strong contenders for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.
Mohammed stated on oath that the agreement to release the funds to FAAN was reached by Obasanjo, Odili and Borishade, adding that the Authority was not involved in the negotiation.
He said that he was not aware whether the N2 billion given to FAAN by the government of Rivers State was a loan or a dash.
The Senate Committee also asked the incumbent Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisebogun to restructure the agency in line with the federal character principle of the government.
The order, according to the senate committee became expedient following revelations that there were discrepancies that crept into the operation of the organization during the tenure of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
Former Chairman of the board of FAAN, Captain Elendu Ukeje also alleged that the former minister, Fani-Kayode illegally created the Directorate of Environment in the Ministry contrary to civil service rules.
|
|
|
|
|
|
