The Presidency has condemned a statement credited to Ms Priti Patel, former Secretary of State for International Development, United Kingdom, calling on investors to be wary about investing in Nigeria.
The government made the condemnation in a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Patel had also alleged that in spite of the president’s anti-corruption platform, Nigeria had not seen any reduction in corruption since the inception of the Buhari administration.
“Trumpeting a so-called Transparency International report is a false fabrication that cannot be supported by the facts on the ground,’’ the presidency said.
According to Shehu, “this wicked proposition is lacking in substance and devoid of merit in empirical evidence established by facts.
He added that the issue raised by Patel about lack of security of investment was equally false and untenable.
“Nigerian has recognized the right of the investor, both local and foreign, as enshrined in our Constitution which states clearly that no investment can be taken from its owners without recourse to the law.
“Given the Constitution, you don’t even need international protection for assets held in this country. In addition to the Constitution, there exist several laws allowing protection for investments.
The statement also noted that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) had led to greater visibility and control of government funds by way of consolidating government resources in an account as against the past where such accounts were scattered.
It said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) scheme had equally helped the government to prevent money laundering, financing terrorism and illicit cash transfers.
The government recalled that before the inception of present administration, there existed a racket encompassing elements in the three arms of government, “through the activities of which artificial, engineered and factored breaches of contract were made.
“In the fullness of time, more will be said by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.’’
(NAN)
