NIGERIA: PROBLEMS CONTINUE WITH MPRI FUNDING

UNCLAS ABUJA 001366 SIPDIS AF/W FOR CALLI FULLER OSD FOR COL VICTOR NELSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PROBLEMS CONTINUE WITH MPRI FUNDING REF: ABUJA 1310 ¶1. (U) National Security Adviser Aliyu Mohammed Gusau told POLOFF August 11 that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been unable to transfer the USD 1 million to fund the MPRI Civ/Mil program through December. Embassy Abuja verified that the CBN had the correct account information on August 1, making it seem that the CBN cannot transfer the funds to this account. The NSA said funding MPRI was a priority for him, but that every delay in completing the transfer increases the chances that the cash strapped GON will use the funds for another purpose. ¶2. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: With MPRI preparing to close down operations in Abuja, it is imperative that the transfer take place as soon as possible. For whatever reason, the wire transfer from the CBN to the U.S. Treasury account is not working. Post requests Washington,s guidance on how to proceed. Post asks whether another account or transfer method could be used. For example, NSA Mohammed stated he would be willing to transfer the funds directly to Embassy Abuja or perhaps issue a negotiable bank draft to the U.S. Government. Liberi LIBERI