The Presidency has explained that repatriated funds back to Nigeria have been earmarked for identified critical projects across the country.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu on Friday night, the Presidency said it would be willing to give need clarification on any matter around a recent tripartite repatriation agreement signed among Nigeria, United States of America, and the Island of Jersey.
Recent reports claimed that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was planning to dispense part of a $308 million repatriated Sani Abacha loot outside the agreed focus of spending with the other two signatories to the repatriation agreement.
However, trying to expel all doubts about the intentions of the Buhari administration to stick to agreements and staying true to its anti-corruption crusade, the statement said the government’s agreed spending plans are very much intact.
“We have a lot more money to recover oversees and no one has the right to complicate things for the government of our country.
“The United States and the British crown dependency of Jersey have agreed with the President and government of Nigeria to repatriate $308 million funds connected to former Nigerian military ruler General Sani Abacha, the three governments said.
“By a decision of this government, the entire sum will be paid to the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, (NSIA) and will be used in expediting the construction of the three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria – namely Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Abuja – Kano Expressway and the Second Niger bridge.
“The position of the Buhari administration is still the same on this.
“The Embassy of the United States may be approached for any clarification on the agreement already reached by the three parties”, the statement said.
