A member of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee that probed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing, Princess Miriam Onuhoa, has refuted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claims that OANDO was given preferential treatment in the purchase of AGIP/ENI......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
In a press statement issued by Phrank Shuaibu, on behalf of Atiku on August 25, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party had claimed that the House of Reps had in July 2023, directed NNPC Ltd to suspend the acquisition of OVH assets pending an investigation by its committee, following the adoption of a motion moved by Miriam Onuoha.
But in a rebuttal of Atiku’s claim on Monday, Princess Onuoha stated that the House committee probed the acquisition and was satisfied by the detailed responses of the NNPCL leadership on the deal, adding that the committee was impressed by the transparency adopted in its acquisition.
The statement reads: “For the record, on July 28, 2023, I sponsored a motion on the “Need to Investigate the Irregularities and Alleged Corruption in the Nigerian Energy Security Provider, NNPC Retail Limited and the Acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing,” in response to petition by staff members of NNPC Limited, who were unsure of their employment status following the acquisition of OVH by NNPC Limited, and subsequent relocation of NNPC Retail Limited to Lagos.
“Following this motion, an ad hoc Committee was set up by the House leadership, and to which I was named a member, to investigate the allegations.
“I would like to state that the Committee invited the Group CEO of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, the Head of NNPC Retail Limited, and their management staff members, who appeared before the Committee where they gave reasons for the acquisition of OVH, as well as the procedures followed in the acquisition. They also rationalized the relocation to Lagos, which according to them, was to enable easy access to the market.
“From their submissions and the bills, it was obvious that members and management of NNPC Retail were constantly commuting to Abuja to engage in trade, which was not only expensive but was also resulting in loss of man-hour, among other challenges.”
The House member stated further that some staff members of NNPC Limited, who wrote and submitted the petition were also engaged by the Committee, adding that their concerns about the acquisition was removed “on account of the detailed explanation by the NNPC management, and the Committee’s ability to ensure a transparent investigation.”
Princess Onuoha, who represents the people of Isiala Mbano / Onuimo / Okigwe Federal Constituency, further explained that the House Committee also undertook a tour of the NNPC Retail facilities in Lagos during the investigation and found they were in good condition.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the management and leadership of NNPC Retail Limited, and indeed, the Group CEO of NNPC Limited, for his pragmatic leadership approach to transparent operations in the energy sector, and management of the NNPC Limited.
“In the course of the investigation, the Committee found that President Bola Tinubu had taken some commendable steps to reposition the oil and gas sector.
The Committee also discovered that the NNPC Limited, under Mele Kyari, had made significant strides in enhancing transparency and accountability within the company. For instance, despite the criticisms it had received in recent times, the national oil company trumped the distractions by releasing its annual financial statement for 2023, wherein it posted several positive results. This demonstrates transparency,” she stated.
The former vice president has recently become fixated on events in the oil sector where he had tried to link President Bola Tinubu to everything happening in the sector without providing any proof.
He has also attacked Kyari as a stooge of the president.
But contrary to the position of Atiku on the role of the NNPCL leadership in the oil and gas industry, the lawmaker commended Kyari’s leadership has “characterised by a commitment to openness, which has fostered and bolstered trust and confidence in and among stakeholders. This, understandably, aligns with the implementation of his leadership’s Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) Agenda, which aims to ensure that NNPC’s operations are open, transparent, and accountable. This management philosophy, from our findings, has involved various measures, such as regular reporting, public disclosure of financial information, and collaboration with external auditors. “
Princess Onuoha also noted the commendable steps taken by the NNPCL to engage with the public, saying the increased communication will address public concerns about what it is doing.
“Without a doubt, Kyari’s leadership has contributed to building a more transparent and accountable NNPC. His efforts have helped to restore public trust in the NNPC and to position the company as a more responsible corporate citizen. Even so, there is still room for improvement.
“While, as a legislator, I will continue to hold the Executive accountable, I will not allow myself to be used as an instrument of witch-hunt, blackmail, and intimidation. I will not be a willing tool for the opposition to destroy the good work of Mr. President, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, who is the Minister of Petroleum Resources,” she stated.
She noted that the oil and gas sector is very critical to the Nigerian economy and should not be politicised.
“While constructive criticism is necessary to strengthen the sector in the interest of our nation, deploying propaganda and blackmail to score cheap political points is unhelpful, and worse, unpatriotic,” she warned.