Okonjo-Iweala: I didn’t divert $600m rail funds

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance, says the campaign of calumny against her by certain “political elements” will fail.

Okonjo-Iweala was reacting to an allegation that part of $1billion-Chinese loan reportedly domiciled in the ministry she headed, and meant for the Kano-Lagos rail project were diverted to other projects.

Speaking through Paul Nwabuikwu, her media adviser, on Sunday, the former minister explained that loans from the China-EximBank were not managed by the ministry of finance,but by the bank itself.

“Since this story was first reported, we have continued to receive media inquiries regarding an allegation reportedly made by the permanent secretary, ministry of transport, Mohammed Bashar, that a substantial part of a $1bn loan obtained from the China-EximBank by the Jonathan administration for a Kano-Lagos rail project was diverted to other projects,” she said.

“I want to state categorically that there is no truth in the reported allegation. Anyone who is interested can cross-check with the China-EximBank or the Chinese embassy.

“It is noteworthy that even though President Buhari, in his reported comments on the allegation, made no reference to Okonjo-Iweala but rightly stressed the need for due process and transparency in the execution of public projects, a sponsored media campaign has once again been launched by political elements to make the former minister the culprit in a non-existent scandal.

“The alleged diversion has no substance for the simple reason that the Kano-Lagos project was not even among the projects presented for funding by the China Exim Bank for several strategic infrastructural projects across the country.

“In fact, it was the Lagos–Ibadan rail project, not Lagos-Kano rail project that was proposed in the original application to the China-EximBank. But in the end, no funds were assigned for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project by the China-EximBank.

“The fact which can be confirmed is that the following projects which are at various stages of progress are being funded from facilities obtained from the China-EximBank: $500m for the expansion of four international airport terminals in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt;$500m for the Abuja Light Rail project; $984m for the Zungeru hydro-electric power project; $100m for the Galaxy Backbone project

“It is also important to note that even if the alleged project was on the list of China-EximBank funded projects, diversion of any Chinese funds would have been extremely difficult because the terms of the contract and the processes would simply not have permitted such action.

“The procedure is that funds for approved loans remain in the China-EximBank and are released directly to the Chinese firm executing the contract only after the presentation of duly certified proof of work by the responsible ministry, in this case it would have been the federal ministry of transport, based on the agreed milestones.

“For the sake of emphasis, the China-EximBank does not disburse money directly to government and therefore the issue of diversion does not arise.

“This is yet another example of the kind of whispering campaign of calumny, innuendo, misinformation, and outright distortions being perpetrated by certain political elements against Okonjo-Iweala in a bid to try to damage her reputation.

“We are confident that those behind this campaign will continue to fail.

“We respectfully request the media to refrain from attaching Okonjo-Iweala’s name and photographs to spurious and unfounded allegations. Okonjo-Iweala as a Nigerian citizen in a democracy, a citizen who has served her country with honesty and integrity, also has some fundamental rights to justice and fair play.”

Okonjo-Iweala has been the butt of many allegations since her exit from government.

Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, once alleged that she withdrew about $1 billion from the excess crude account(ECA)without authorisation.

The allegations have so far not been proven.