The Ministry of Finance has denied running a corrupt waiver policy, as claimed by Punch Newspaper in a recent editorial criticising the Federal Government and as well challenging the finance ministry to publish those waivers.
“Categorically” refuting the allegation, the ministry explained that the Executive introduced a total reform of the waiver policy two years ago, and waivers are now only granted on a sectoral basis.
“This means that every company in the sector enjoys the same waiver privileges”, Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Paul C Nwabuikwu wrote in a statement. “All companies or entities involved in a sector or given activity will benefit from the same waivers once they meet the necessary criteria”.
The ministry said it published an abbreviated version of the full waiver report in several newspapers, while the full version is available at www.budgetoffice.gov.ngand on social media (http://on.fb.me/1fWHYG5).
It also described as false, the claim by Sahara Reporters that the Federal Ministry of Finance surreptitiously released an updated waiver list on the web only on 22nd December 2013 as categorically false.
“In the spirit of transparency, the full waiver list was made public on 3rd December 2013”, the statement added.
“For the avoidance of doubt: the Federal Ministry of Finance has never denied issuing waivers to African First Ladies Forum conference. This official event for First Ladies of all the other African countries necessitated vehicles for the transport of these visiting dignitaries. The waiver granted for this occasion is similar to other waivers issued to various state governments and government institutions such as Rivers, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom for similar official sporting and conference events”.
The ministry assured that as always, it welcomes all legitimate inquiries and criticisms but it will not remain silent when falsification and distortion of facts occurs.
