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