The Nigerian senate has directed the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to investigate the payment of $18,323,032,261.03 as dividend for the nation’s investment in the Nigeria LNG Limited between 2004 and 2020.
The Chairman, Senate Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning that is currently considering the 2021to 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, Solomon Adeola, gave the order on Wednesday in Abuja following disclosures from the Nigeria LNG authorities.
Idris was mandated to find out if the amount was remitted to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, and how much went to the Federation Account as well as deductions made.
The General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mrs. Eyono Fatai-William, had presented a financial statement of the firm from 1999 to 2019, where the figure was captured.
When the panel chair sought confirmation from the AuGF, the latter could not, saying the payments were usually made first to NNPC, the country’s representative in the company.
He, therefore, directed Idris to look into the matter and report back in two weeks.
