Reps summon PPMC, MD over N10bn aircraft charter scandal

ABUJA— THE House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, PAC, mandated to probe the alleged air charter services scam involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke, has again summoned the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, and its Managing Director, Mr. Haruna Momoh, to appear before it or face criminal charges. Allison-Madueke According to a memo dated April 30 and signed by the Chairman of PAC, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan and addressed to Momoh, PPMC and its MD have within one week to submit in a written form all they knew about the charter of the 850 Challenger Aircraft. The Committee, in the memo, said that the summon was “based on the response from Vistajet International Limited one of the companies involved in the transactions. “It was emphasised that you and PPMC played a central role in the charter of the 850 Challenger Aircraft. You are, therefore, requested to submit a memorandum on your involvement and that of the PPMC in the said transaction,” the memo stated. Contents The memorandum, according to the Committee, shall include but not limited to details of the financial transaction on the amount paid by NNPC/PPMC to Vistajet International Ltd for the charter and maintenance of the 850 Challenger Aircraft and other related aircraft such as the OE LXR GLOBAL EXPRESS XRS from January 2012 till date; Details of any financial liabilities that may be currently outstanding on the charter and maintenance of the 850 Challenger Aircraft and other related aircraft used by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Alison Madueke for both national and international trips; Copies of the agreement (if any) between NNPC/PPMC and Vistajet International Lt over the charter and maintenance of the 850 Challenger Aircrafts OE LXR GLOBAL EXPRESS XRS and other related aircraft by the Minister. The memo also read: “The manifest in the custody of the committee revealed that you have always been in the company of the Minister while on international trips on board the said aircraft, you are therefore required to furnish details and particulars of trips (with the Minister) embarked upon by yourself with the Minister and the justification for such tips.” It was further stressed in the memo that failure of the PPMC and its MD to submit the memorandum as required would be considered as a criminal offence and would be treated as such. It said that apart from the submission of the memorandum, PPMC and its MD would also appear before the committee for a public hearing on a date to be communicated to them. Although Olamilekan could not be immediately reached for comments on the fresh invitation, a member of the committee confirmed the development in confidence to the Vanguard, yesterday. Operations during WEF Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said yesterday that all airports would remain operational during the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Abuja between May 7 and 9. The General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, disclosed this to aviation correspondents in Lagos.