Lawmakers at the Senate
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
Senate has clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has yet to account for N210 trillion in financial infractions raised against it in the 2017-2023 audit report.
Contrary to media reports that the money had been stolen, Senator Aliyu Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, emphasized that NNPCL needs to provide explanations for the unaccounted funds.
NNPCL Must Account for N210 Trillion” – Senator Wadada
“We are just carrying out our constitutional mandate of ensuring probity and accountability in the spending of public funds.
“NNPCL, as clearly stated in the audit report of 2017 to 2023, must account for the N210 trillion financial infraction,” Wadada said.
The Senate committee has directed NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari, to appear before it to explain the alleged financial infractions and other queries raised against NNPCL.
Despite being invited, Ojulari traveled to an OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria, and was represented by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, who was not allowed to make a presentation.
*“Nobody Is Bigger Than the Country” – Senator Oshiomhole*
Senator Adams Oshiomhole emphasized that NNPCL’s GCEO should obey the committee’s order to appear.
“Nobody is bigger than the country, and anybody who feels so has no business in government. NNPCL GCEO should make good use of the window of invitation for appearance being offered him now before the door is shut against him,” Oshiomhole warned.
The Senate committee has vowed to take further action if Ojulari fails to comply with its directive.
