$1bn Loan: Arrangement Is Long Term, Involves Super Powers – FG

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC), Mr Mike Omeri, has explained that the proposed $1 billion loan the Federal Government is seeking, will not be given to in cash form.

Omeri said the loan is an arrangement involving governments and is not uncommon among world powers.

He said: “The loan request is not for the government of Nigeria to go and collect cash. It is a long-term arrangement which most super powers are involve in.

“This long-term process being put together by the government is to ensure that there is transparency in it. It is used for the purpose it is meant for”.

Omeri, who doubles as Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, allayed the fear that the loan would be misused.

He said: “It is not just to fight Boko Haram, it is aimed at supporting the Armed Forces for surveillance and training, among others.

“It is a long-term facility that could involve government to government processes. I am not sure that any government will give out money to another government so that they could misdirect its usage”.

On the extradition of the co-mastermind of the April 14, Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, Omeri said another suspect, Rufai Tsiga is still at large but has been placed on the Interpol watch-list.

“The chief mastermind of Nyanya bomb blast, popularly known as Dr. Tsiga, is still on our watch list. The security forces are on his trail. Whenever we succeed in arresting him, we will make it public, like that of Ogwuche. For now, he remains a wanted person”, he said.

On Wednesday’s kidnap of a German national in Adamawa State, Omeri said the act was criminal, distasteful and must be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians.

He said the government would investigate the matter and take necessary actions to protect its citizens and foreigners residing in the country.