Dominican PM Denies He Offered Alison-Madueke Citizenship

The Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit has denied that Nigeria’s former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was ever offered or encouraged by his government to take Dominican citizenship.

Skerrit’s denial comes as Alison-Madueke faces serious corruption investigations in both Nigeria and the UK.

In a statement dated December 10, he said that Alison-Madueke was introduced to him in May during a routine stop-over visit to London, and that the discussions on her potential citizenship took place well before any question of an investigation arose.

May was the same month that the government in which Alison-Madueke served came to an end.

Contrary to reports that the she had arranged to move to Dominica, Skerrit said the idea of Alison-Madueke relocating to Dominica was never discussed, let alone agreed.

He recalled that in a budget address two years ago, he outlined a vision of recruiting persons of experience, influence and integrity to serve and represent Dominica in various capacities abroad.

He said that given that as it is a small nation with very limited resources, Dominica lacks the capacity to establish consular or other offices in many regions of the world.

“In this case, who better to speak for and on behalf of Dominica in parts of the African continent than a former president of OPEC and former Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority [like Alison-Madueke]?” he asked.

However, he added that following the former minister’s arrest in October 2015, and pending the outcome of the investigation, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved to suspend all relations with her immediately.

“This suspension took place in the month of October,” he said.

“Our position is that the relationship with Madueke and all that flows from this will remain completely suspended until such time as the probe into her conduct as a Minister of Government is concluded and a determination made by the relevant authorities,” Skerrit added.