.... ONSA Indicts Fertiliser Firms for Security, Economic Sabotage
The
Federal Government has indicted top fertiliser companies in Nigeria,
Notore Petrochemical and Indorama Eleme Petrochemical, of sabotaging
national security and economy by being a conduit through which the
insurgents, especially the Boko Haram terrorists and Niger Delta
militants obtain explosive materials wrecking havoc across the country.
This
is coming as the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies have made a
major breakthrough in tracking the source of explosives used by the
Niger Delta militants to blow up the oil pipelines and facilities with
the arrest of several suspects including five security personnels.
The
National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno, made
the revelation when he met with the representatives of local
manufacturers of fertilisers.
Monguno
warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate a situation
where by the security and economy of the country is being threatened by
"unpatriotic actions of the fertilizer companies, threatening to close
them should the seemingly acts of sabotage continue.
The
Security chief also read the riot act to any company or individual
engaged in economic, business or commercial activities linked to the
dissident groups operating within and outside the country.
He
said: "I must say at this point that the good will shown by the
government of this country will not be taken for granted. The fact that
we are in difficult and complicated situation in terms of our economy
and security, does not mean that companies and individuals with vested
interest will take the good will of this country for granted.
"The
President came to power with specific mandate which is clear to all
Nigerians and indeed the international community. We will view with very
serious consequences whatever any company does to fall out of line and
behave in a manner that will bring to its knee the economy of this
country and indeed the security of this country."
"
Like I said we will not hesitate and is an action that will be taken
with immediate effect. It is also important for us to also know that the
local farmer are suffering in all communities all over the country," he
stressed.
Monguno
said that ONSA and "the whole intelligence community discovered that
the Improvised Explosive Devices (EIDs) being employed by the terrorists
for their bombing campaigns were developed mainly from certain grades
of fertilisers with particular reference to some nitrate based types
including Urea Nitrate (synthesized from Urea)".
He
reminded that it was the discovery that the indiscriminate importation
of these urea nitrate by all and sundry resulting into lack of control
and ease their availability to the terrorists, militants and other
mischievous elements for use to perpetuate insecurity that necessitated
Federal government to license only the two companies to operate in the
country.
He
also noted that ONSA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development facilitated necessary importation of raw materials and also
secured distribution networks, which is "aimed at solving the national
security problem on one hand by easing control of the items and on the
other hand, boosting economy by encouraging local production".
Against
this backdrop, the NSA said that the cumulative annual production of
the two companies is estimated at 2.05 million metric tonnes, while
Nigeria's estimated consumption rate is 1.1 million metric tonnes, which
is 53 percent of production and "opportunity to cumulatively export
about 47 percent of their production".
Monguno
however, noted that ONSA "has observed with total dismay some
unpatriotic act and abuse of the goodwill of government", saying that
"reports of activities of these companies have indicated that about 71
percent of the 2.05 million tonnes cumulative annual production is being
exported to the detriment of our national economy".
According
to him, this has resulted in a spike in the price of urea-based
fertilisers in Nigeria with obvious implications on food security in the
country.
"In
view of the foregoing, I wish to categorically state that Government
will continue to adhere to the rule of law. However, it must be noted
that rule of law is not akin to anarchy. Accordingly, this office will
not hesitate to close and withdraw the operating license of any company
that exports products without first meeting local consumptions.
"This
office and the Ministry (of Agriculture) will work to put in place
measures to access production and determine exportable quantity by the
respective companies. Please note that well-being of this country is a
collective responsibility of all," he said.
In
the a related development, Monguno disclosed that ONSA conducted
investigation into the incessant bombing of oil facilities in the Niger
Delta and discovered that commercial explosives and accessories were
used for the attacks.
He
said that resultant investigation and detailed audit of the records of
explosives magazines and quarries in the region revealed "the diversion
of about 9000kg of high explosives and 16, 420 pieces of detonators for
illegal use".
He
revealed that "the actors, including the store man of a major
explosives distribution company in Nigeria, an accomplice and five
security operatives have been arrested and handed over to the
appropriate authorities".
"Right
now investigations are being conducted and I can assure you that they
are deeply culpable and the necessary action will be taken on the
conclusion of these investigations," he remarked.
The
NSA however assure that the administration is committed to the
wellbeing, safety and security of the Nigerian citizenry and urged
members of the public and business community to do their business in
accordance to laid down rules of law.
"Let
me also reiterate that any individual or company that operations
outside the confines of legitimacy or illegality will have itself to
blame and we also want to add that the government of the day will not
listen to any influence peddler in the society on behalf of any company
that decides to sabotage national security," he warned.
By PRNigeria
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