by Isi Esene

Members of the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force have distanced themselves from a leaked report. They expressed surprise at the report leakage saying they are yet to ratify any report.

It was reported that Ribadu himself had released the report but a member of the committe who spoken anonymously said:  

“How can a report we have not concluded is said to be in circulation. I can authoritatively tell you that what you see everywhere on the internet is not genuine and we can prove that when we meet tomorrow hopefully”.

He said that some of the members are surprised  by the manner the report was leaked to the press when in the actual sense members were yet to meet to conclude it.

He continued: “We are yet to meet and ratify the report. Some of us are surprised to see the purported report flying about. I can tell you that we are going to meet tomorrow (Thursday) to look at the report.

“As we speak, we have not endorsed any report. Since three days, I have seen three variants. So I am particularly confused whose report they are, but certainly it is not ours.”

The source insinuated that there might be some powerful vested interests who are poised to benefit from the confusion such leakage is expected to cause.

He said, “If we fail to agree tomorrow on the recommendations of the report, I doubt if the report will be submitted on Friday as directed because some of us are actually pissed off with the turn of events. How can a report we have not concluded is said to be in circulation. I can authoritatively tell you that what you see everywhere on the Internet is not genuine and we can prove that when we meet tomorrow hopefully.”

According to published reports, a total of N28.73bn in signature bonuses paid by oil companies to the Federation was missing.

The committee’s assignment was to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues due and payable to the federal government of Nigeria, and to take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owed.

President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to receive the said report on Friday at 11a.m. Observers believe the report will proffer solutions which will usher in transparency and accountability in the corruption ridden industry.