$100M AIRPORT TERMINALS COUNTERPART FUNDING: KEMI ADEOSUN LIED, SAYS PDP

Nigeria, Sept., 22, 2016 – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun of being economical with the truth when she said on television that Nigeria has not paid the Airport Terminal Counterpart Funding of $100 million.

According to the PDP, former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in 2014, awarded the contract of remodeling and building of international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu on a ‘Built, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) basis, financed by Chinese EXIM Bank with counterpart funds from Nigeria, adding that the contract total sum was $500 million with Counterpart Funding of $100 million from Nigeria.

“The fact of the matter is that, Nigeria paid her own sum of $100 million on the 29th of January 2014 through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the beginning of the Projects. You will also recall that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajiya Binta Bello corroborated our position during her interview with Thisday Newspaper on the 14th of September, 2015, where she stated that, “Finance was not an impediment, and Nigeria government counterpart funding of $100 million has been paid at the commencement of the Projects”. She went further to assert that the projects will be completed and delivered at the first quarter of 2016”, PDP said in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

The party noted that in the light of the above, the claim by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun is not only standing the truth on its head but depicting the habitual lies and deceit the All Progressive Congress (APC) is known for.

“For the Record, the previous PDP Government entered into an agreement with the Chinese Government to construct terminals in five Airports, and in January 2014, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wrote the Debt Management Office informing them of effecting the Payment of $100Million to the Chinese Firm, CECC which was remitted as directed by the CBN”, the party said and wondered if the confusion created by the Minister regarding the already Paid Fund could be an excuse to represent the Voucher again for payment.
“This information like many of her previous statements is: false, misleading, malicious and was deliberately made with the intention of blackmailing previous PDP led administration which have been the Hallmark of the APC Government”, the party said.

The party called on the APC led Administration to concentrate on governance and stop deceiving Nigerians with their constant lies.
“What the people of this Country need in this period of harsh economic recession is not meaningless and misguided lamentations from a Government of the so called “Change” but good governance demonstrated by at least providing food on their table”, the PDP said.