Alison-Madueke Says She Has Stepped On Toes, Now Refunding $1.48billion

The fear of Buhari's government is real!! Lol!

Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has disclosed that she has stepped on toes but denied planning to flee the country to escape alleged corruption charges under the incoming Buhari government.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the weekly meeting of Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday (Wednesday), Here's what she had to say:

“I have not sought such assistance because I am not aware that I have been indicted of any crime that I will need a soft landing,” 

“Over the last four years, I have been severally and unfortunately accused and labeled in so many malicious and vindictive ways.

 

“In this period of time, I have stepped on many big toes, particularly the toes of the cabals that were in the industry when we came in."

“I have said severally said that we will open up the industry to all Nigerians, and we have, but that is not to the pleasure of certain cabals. And I have been continuously maligned because of this.”

The minister, while noting that everything that has a beginning must have an end, said she has done the best for Nigeria in her present job and has attained many firsts in the history of oil and gas especially in the reforms she has initiated.

According to her, the ministry has taken billions of dollars from multinationals and their subcontractors and put them in the hands of Nigerians through the Nigerian content law.

With the reforms initiated under her watch, she said hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are now playing major roles the oil and gas industry, a situation she said has irked many people.

She also on Wednesday disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has started refunding the $1.48bn unremitted fund into the Federation Account as recommended by an audit firm, PriceWaterHouse Coopers.

She however did not disclose how much has so far been refunded.