By Stanley Onyekwere
The National Transparency Watch Initiative has condemned the call for the sack of the Managing Director of Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Mr. Roberts Orya, by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP).
Addressing journalists in Abuja, National President of the group, Comrade John Folarin Odusote, said the call by CNPP was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the NEXIM boss.
He described the allegations against Orya, as “fictitious and baseless grounds” saying that under his leadership, the bank has excelled.
He said, “The association whose main business is protecting interests minority political parties in the nation has all of a sudden abandoned its primary responsibility and taken the toga of a social critic. While this may be commendable in some quarters, criticism comes with a heavy price and thus entails honesty and objectivity, which the CNPP, in its tainted allegations lacked grossly.
“We wish to make it straight that we are not joining issue with this honourable group; neither are we holding brief for Mr. Orya. However, as it is our sworn duty and responsibility, we shall always strive to uphold truth and transparency which is the onus of today’s meeting.
“In their trumped-up allegations the CNPP tried its best to mislead Nigerians in their claim to the embezzlement of N200 billion, by the Robert Orya-led management of the bank. It is however hilarious, as our checks have also revealed that in the bank’s 24 years of existence, it has not received up to N100 Billion from both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and even international partners; this is an open secret and those interested can check this fact.”
He said it is common knowledge that prior to the appointment of Mr. Orya, NEXIM Bank was just a structure without effective action.
He said under Orya’s leadership, NEXIM Bank has become a house hold name in the investment, Export and import sectors of not only Nigeria but the West African and Global markets.
He urged the CNPP to ensure that they engage in in proper investigations before going public to declare baseless allegations against hard-working Nigerians.
