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SERAP Drags CBN On N100bn Dirty Notes, Other Missing Public Funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “to account for and explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion ‘dirty and bad notes’ and ‘other large sum of cash awaiting examination’ which are kept in various branches of the CBN.”
In a statement, the SERAP pointed out that the allegations were documented in the latest annual report recently published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Consequently, the SERAP urged CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, to “explain the whereabouts of the N7.2 billion budgeted for the construction of the CBN Dutse branch in 2010 and the N4.8 billion budgeted for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch in 2009, and to publish the names of the contractors who collected the money but failed to complete the projects.”
Similarly, the SERAP urged Cardoso “to explain the whereabouts of the allegedly missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion granted to the Enugu State government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion granted to the Anambra State government between 2015 and 2016 and to fully recover and remit the public funds to the treasury.”
The SERAP also urged him “to refer these grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act and the country’s national and international anticorruption obligations to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, as appropriate, and the recovery of the public funds.”
These demands were detailed in the letter dated June 29, 2024 issued under the signature of Deputy Director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare.
It stated, “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the CBN Act, and national and international anticorruption obligations.
“These grave violations also reflect a failure of CBN accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s persistent failure to comply with its Act and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”
It added that, “These grave violations have seriously undermined the ability of the CBN to effectively discharge its statutory functions and the public trust and confidence in the bank. The CBN ought to be committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.”
The letter, read in part, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, publishing the names of those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that they are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.
“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has since 2017 been keeping over N100 billion [N100,672,999,000.00] ‘dirty and bad notes’, and other large sum of cash awaiting examination in various branches of the CBN.
The Auditor-General fears that the ‘dirty and bad notes’ initially planned to be destroyed may have been ‘be diverted and re-injected into the economy.’
“The CBN in August 2010 also reportedly budgeted N7.2 billion [N7,286,500,476.76] for the construction of Dutse branch building. The Dutse branch was due to be completed in November 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.
“The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’
“The CBN in 2009 reportedly budgeted N4.8 billion [N4,812,608,028.10] for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch. The Abeokuta branch was due to be completed in 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.
“There is no significant renovation work on the site, several years after the proposed completion date. The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’
“The CBN also reportedly failed to account for the missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion [N1,294,453,887.83] granted to the Enugu state government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion [N1,994,383,561.64] granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016.
“The Auditor-General fears the public funds may have been diverted. He wants the money fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘on no account should payment be made for services not yet performed or for goods not yet supplied.’
“Section 35(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 provides that, ‘once a mobilization fee has been paid to any supplier or contractor, no further payment shall be made to the supplier or contractor without an interim performance certificate.
“Section 16(6) of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘all bidders shall possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications to carry out particular procurements; the financial capacity and adequate personnel to perform the obligations of the procurement contracts.’
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Section 13 of the Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the CBN to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, “Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handled over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).”
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the CBN to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.
“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.”
Enhanced adoption of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies to improve operations in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is taking the centre stage in relevant circles.
The issue came up strongly when the President-elect of the Nigerian Institute of Petroleum and Gas Engineers NIPetGE, Prisca Kanebi, paid a courtesy call at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Abuja.
Biztellers reports that the Kanebi led delegation was received by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye.
According to a statement made available on Sunday, discussions at the meeting focused on the future of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry amid global energy transition concerns, technological changes and sustainability targets.
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The statement indicated that the NNPC Ltd acknowledged the role of NIPetGE in policy advocacy, technical development and innovation within the sector.
Speaking during the meeting, Kanebi highlighted recommendations from the institute’s recent conference, including the proposed establishment of a national centre for intelligent energy systems to support the deployment of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics across the petroleum value chain.
She also commended the Federal Government’s decarbonisation efforts and reiterated the institute’s support for policies aimed at improving sustainability in the industry.
The institute also recommended the creation of a hydrocarbon-linked emissions trading system to allow Nigeria to take part in global carbon markets.
The institute also proposed fiscal incentives to support local manufacturing and service delivery in the oil and gas sector, as well as the expansion of the Energy Transition Plan to include measurable upstream decarbonisation targets backed by tax credits.
Other proposals included increased public-private partnerships in emission control infrastructure, carbon capture projects and hybrid renewable energy initiatives.
Both organisations also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between industry and academic institutions to improve professional capacity and align petroleum engineering practice in Nigeria with international standards.
The institute further disclosed that its bill seeking chartered status had passed second reading and was progressing towards a third hearing at the National Assembly.
It added that NNPC Ltd pledged support for future collaborations with the institute on initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and innovation in the energy sector.
Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas companies are reopening dormant wells and ramping up production from assets acquired from international oil companies (IOCs) to boost crude oil output.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, made the assertion through its Chairman, Francis Nwaochie, on the sideline of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) which ended at the weekend in Houston, Texas.
Nwaochie said indigenous operators were already taking advantage of opportunities created by disruptions in the global energy market to increase production from existing assets.
According to him, local firms that recently acquired onshore and shallow water assets from IOCs were aggressively reviving inactive wells and maximizing available infrastructure to raise output levels.
“What we are seeing now is that indigenous companies are reopening wells from the assets they acquired from the IOCs. Some of them have almost doubled production from those existing assets,”.
He explained that the renewed focus on dormant wells and existing facilities had become critical at a time the global oil market was facing supply shortages triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The SPE Nigeria Council Chairman noted that Africa, particularly Nigeria, was well positioned to benefit from the supply gap because of the continent’s relative stability compared to some other oil-producing regions.
“There is a huge opportunity for Africa right now. The focus is gradually shifting to Africa because of the volatile environment in many other producing regions.”
He stated that indigenous operators were leveraging digital technologies, financing opportunities and local expertise to improve production efficiency and optimise existing fields.
He added that stronger implementation of local content policies was also helping to create a more stable operating environment for oil and gas investments.
“Local content is very critical. Once communities and local companies clearly understand their roles and benefits, then you create peace across the industry. Business only thrives in peaceful environments.”
ALSO READ: Nigerian Navy Recovers Large Cache of Illegal Refined Petroleum Products
Nwaochie also stressed the need for Nigeria to move beyond crude oil production and begin developing indigenous technologies for the energy industry.
According to him, SPE Nigeria Council was actively supporting innovation and technology development among young Nigerian engineers and researchers.
He disclosed that the association was engaging the National Universities Commission(NUC) on reforms to engineering curricula in universities to better prepare graduates for the future of the energy industry.
“One of our major focuses in SPE is technology development. We should not only import machines and equipment, we must begin to develop our own technologies locally.”
Nwaochie revealed that SPE was already supporting local innovators working on technologies such as remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), noting that indigenous technology development will strengthen Nigeria’s economy and deepen local participation in the oil and gas sector.
“We may not get everything right immediately but we must start somewhere. That is how countries that dominate the global energy industry built their capacities.”
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