Buhari Notifies UN of P&ID Scam at UNGA74

• Buhari Notifies UN of P&ID Scam at UNGA74

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called the world’s attention to an attempt by international criminal groups to cheat Nigeria of billions of dollars.

The president, who was the fifth speaker at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74) in New York, said that “we are giving notice to international criminal groups by the vigorous prosecution of the P&ID scam attempting to cheat Nigeria of billions of dollars.”

In August, a British commerce court had awarded Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) a total sum of $9.6 billion judgement against Nigeria for failing to comply with a signed contract of a gas project approved about 10 years ago.

A project later discovered by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be approved through improper process orchestrated in collaboration with some fraudulent Nigerians.

Buhari also speaks on the rising numbers of crimes perpetrated through social media.

President Buhari charged technology companies to be alive to their duties to humanity, saying technology companies cannot be allowed to “continue to facilitate the spread of religious, racist, xenophobic and false messages capable of inciting communities against one another, leading to the loss of many lives. This could tear some countries apart.”

He stated that “no threat is more potent than poverty and exclusion,” adding that “they are the foul sources from which common criminality, insurgency, cross-border crimes, human trafficking, and its terrible consequences draw their inspiration.”

“Our country is no exception. Nigeria is a nation of nearly 200 million people of diverse groups. Our diversity is our source of strength which is why in elections this year our people backed the politics of tolerance, inclusion and community over the politics of protest and division.

“Our election promises emphasised political stability, freedom and prosperity, tackling poverty, schooling our young and providing them with the tools to build better lives. We are placing special emphasis on the role of women in our female gender advancement programmes.

“Our progress and delivery are deliberate, purposeful and measured. We clearly appreciate there are no quick fixes to complex challenges,” he stated.

Speaking on the theme of the General Assembly, ‘Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion’, Buhari said that “these are the prime areas calling for collective action which will benefit national and global interests.”

According to him, “today, the world is at a critical juncture. This year marks the first anniversary of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. This year also marks the 100 years of the founding of the League of Nations, leading eventually to the establishment of the United Nations as part of the post-World War II international order.”

“Article 1 (4) of the UN Charter called for ‘harmonising the actions of nations in the attainment of common ends’. These common ends include: International peace and security; prosperity and social justice; respect for human dignity, and protection of the environment,” he said.