DPR finally complies with FoI, releases documents on fuel subsidy, importation

AFTER months of pressure, information on fuel importation and subsidy being paid on it has finally been released.

Leading human rights lawyer, Femi Falana who has been at the vanguard of the public disclosure of the information, made the disclosure on Wednesday.

In a short statement, the senior advocate said the documents released on the vexed subject were delivered to him, by the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), under the Freedom of Information Act.

However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), according to him, refused to budge on the constitutional request and had been sued.

The statement says, “The NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru had rejected the directive of the  Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu,  to supply the information requested by me pertaining to the importation of fuel into the country.

“Last month, the Minister had directed the NNPC, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and Directorate of Petroleum Resources to supply the information requested by me under the Freedom of Information Act.

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“But while DPR says that it is not in a position to address the issues raised in the letter the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Baru has refused to comply with the directive of the Minister on the grounds that it is not a public institution!

“Consequently, we sued the NNPC at the federal high court praying for an order of mandamus to compel the management to supply the requested information. However, the DPR has just complied with the Minister’s directive by making the information available to us.

“Even though we are currently studying the bundle of documents  sent to us by the Minister we commend the Minister for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.”