US seeks information on Excess Crude Account •Jonathan sets up White Paper committees on Ribadu report, others

THE United States (US) has demanded from the Federal Government, explanations on how it has been managing the Excess Crude Account and the country’s finances.
A statement from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation said Mr Douglas P. Climan of the American Embassy made the demands when he called on the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla, in his office at Treasury House, Abuja.
The diplomat was said to have told the AGF that he came to the Treasury House to understand the budgeting and the operation of Federation Account.
Mr Climan said he would also like to know how ECA withdrawals were made and how the unspent balance of capital was managed.
After listening to the AGF, the diplomat expressed optimism that the 2013 budget would be passed before the end of 2012 fiscal year.
Meanwhile, about 45,000 ghost workers have been detected after 108 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) adopted the Government Integrated Fiscal Management System (GIFMIS) in Nigeria.
According to Otunla, since the adoption of GIFMIS, about 45,000 ghost workers had been detected, adding that “we now know how many people are on the payroll of government and the cost implication.
Meanwhile, PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, established three committees to prepare draft white papers on the reports of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, the National Refineries Special Task Force and the Governance and Controls Special Task Force
A statement by presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja, noted that the action was in furtherance of the declared commitment of President Jonathan to ensuring accountability, probity and transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The committees are to study the reports, review the issues raised and prepare draft white papers for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) within two weeks.        
The white paper committee on the report of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force would be chaired by the Minister of Labour, Chief  Emeka Wogu, with the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Chief Jumoke Akinjide and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr Nurudeen Moha-mmed, as members.
The statement added that the white paper committee on the report of the Governance and Controls Special Task Force would be chaired by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, while the Minister of State, Defence, Chief (Mrs) Olusola Obada; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mallam Bukar Tijani, are members.
The white paper committee on the report of the National Refineries Special Task Force had Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Mohammed Sada as chairman and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Pate and the Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyeson Wike, as members.