A coalition of Civil Society Organisations and patriotic citizens under the aegis of the Situation Room on Transparency and Accountability has called for an investigation into the activities of the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Dr Mele Kyari, over the $1.5 billion reportedly spent on the Port Harcourt refinery.
Speaking during a press briefing held in Abuja, the Convener of the group, Ambassador Michael Omoba, applauded President Bola Tinubu’s decision, which led to the sack of Dr Kyari.
He said: “We, the Situation Room on Transparency and Accountability, comprising concerned Civil Society Organizations and patriotic citizens, gather here today not as critics, but as partners in progress, and supporters of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his laudable reforms.
“Nevertheless, we find it very imperative at this critical juncture to draw the attention of national and international leaders to the sensitive matter of monumental financial misappropriation under the leadership of the now-dismissed GCEO of the NNPCL, Mr Mele Kolo Kyari.
“However, our patriotism demands that we speak truth to power, particularly in a case like this, where the sacred trust of public accountability is highly at stake.
“We strongly believe that to set the record straight, and allow the new leadership of the NNPCL operate fully on a transparent ground, the heroic and decisive action taken by Mr. President to clean the NNPCL must be followed by a comprehensive investigation into the financial malfeasance that has plagued the corporation in the past 5 years.
“Apparently, it is now well understood that Kyari’s dismissal is not only timely but long overdue, since the institution has been operating like an unaccountable and opaque cabal. Nigerians are outraged and the demand for answers cannot be overemphasized, especially concerning the reckless ceremonial spending of $1.5 billion on the Port Harcourt Refineries (PHRC) 1 and 2— an amount undoubtedly believed to be equivalent to several African countries’ national annual budgets.
“Firstly, we would like to draw our attention to the previously mentioned staggering sum of $1.5 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigeria Refineries. Indeed, Nigerians were made to believe that these funds allocated by the Buhari-led administration in 2021 were meant for a comprehensive rehabilitation.
“However, shockingly and to the chagrin of the public, not only were these funds entirely expended on just one refinery, but the said refinery turned out to be non-functional, failing to meet even the least functional or industrial standard that was expected of such an investment.
“Indeed, such fiscal mismanagement would have been the subject of a rigorous criminal investigation involving every national and international party involved in the debacle. However, our President Tinubu administration is amplifying the silenced voices of Nigerians, and these voices are rightfully demanding answers with questions like: where did these huge funds disappear to?
“Why was the initial plan of rehabilitating two refineries abandoned without justification? Who are those responsible for this national capture of our resources?
“Moreover, this treacherous act defies logic and prudence. That such a colossal sum was dissipated with no concrete outcome and accountability says a lot about Kyari’s led-administration.
“We are truly asking on behalf of Nigerians, what was the essence of the prodigious spending? Where are the contractors? Can we see the audit trails? Finally, what was the role of Kyari’s NNPCL leadership in enabling or facilitating this dereliction of duty against the Nation?
“Perhaps, more alarming in all the shenanigans is the yet-unresolved scandal that surrounded the disappearance, or we say, the misallocation of over 89 million barrels of crude oil to non-state actors. Why many see this as merely a case of mismanagement, what we are seeing is an enormous economic sabotage of the highest order.
“It is an undebatable fact that Nigerians deserve to know who authorized such transfers, who are the beneficiaries, and why no arrests have been made to date. The absence of accountability concerning this monumental loss is a shame to the stature of Leadership, and a great threat to the economic sovereignty of Nigeria.
“Furthermore, while Nigerians were still tending to the aforementioned wounds, the suspicious arrangements between the NNPCL and Matrix Oil have become another virus needing urgent attention. This is another partnership whose details remain elusive to the public. Evidently, more questions also abound in regards to the circulated claim that about $400 million was invested by some Matrix oil in the ongoing refinery rehabilitation.
“Indeed, this also presents many questions that need urgent answers: Under what financial frameworks did they contribute this amount? What are the terms of repayment or equity ownership, if any? Nigerians are asking: Did this partnership follow the provisions of the Procurement Act? What was the due process that preceded this alliance? What has Nigeria benefited from this alliance? And most importantly, what are the losses we have incurred?
“However, upon consideration of the aforementioned questions, it is obvious that the lack of transparency here is nothing short of deliberate obfuscation to mask a syndicate of financial irregularities. In our view, we believe that Matrix Oil may have been used as a vehicle to siphon public funds in the guise of offering technical services and partnerships.
“Undoubtedly, the gross mismanagement of funds in the oil and gas sector over the past 5 years has stifled Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural development, impoverished citizens who have been making their tax contributions, and sabotaged sustainability. With millions of Nigerians currently experiencing multidimensional poverty, every budgeted and spent dollar largely counts.
“However, the existence of a continued silence on the financial atrocities committed under Kyari’s leadership has been a bad signal to the international community that Nigeria tolerates economic malfeasance. It is a placard example of what erodes investor confidence and invites speculative capital, rather than stable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
“This NNPCL revelation reveals an elite syndicate conspiracy against the citizens of this great country. It is a betrayal of the Nigerian Dream, and this economic hemorrhaging must stop.
“In addition to the many atrocious adventures of Kyari’s leadership, the suspension of the Naira-for-Crude policy under his tenure was a monumental disservice and disability to our local economy.
“Such a policy, if properly implemented and passed, would undoubtedly have insulated Nigeria from the dangerous and harshest effects of foreign exchange volatility, provided petroleum products to local industries at subsidized cost, and strengthened the Naira against the dollar. Unfortunately, the selfish egomaniac Kyari was more concerned about his ill-gains. We therefore urge Engineer Ojulari to immediately reinstate this policy, with strict anti-corruption oversight mechanisms.
“On this note, we strongly call for an immediate constitution of a Special Commission of Inquiry to thoroughly investigate the full financial activities of the NNPCL that were carried out over the past 5 years under the leadership of Mele Kyari. This commission must be empowered to subpoena documents, summon key stakeholders involved during this duration, and make binding recommendations.
“We strongly believe that a proper investigation, followed by judicial action, will send a strong message that Nigeria is ready to do business within the parameters of accountability. We are confident that such an investigation will definitely serve as a deterrent to future intending corrupt leaders, and also a catharsis to help cleanse the rot embedded in the operations of our nation’s public assets.”
While calling for a comprehensive audit and prosecution, the group emphasised the need to conduct a forensic audit of all NNPCL financial transactions carried out in the last five years and open publication of the list of beneficiaries involved in the 80 million barrels allegedly given to non-state actors.
They also advocated for a detailed report on how the $1.5 billion was spent on the Port Harcourt refinery, an interrogation followed by possible prosecution of Mele Kyari, dismissed board members, and other NNPCL executives found culpable, as well as a legislative oversight hearing to ensure that the National Assembly enforces the highest transparency standards for the newly appointed NNPCL board.
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“However, it must be duly noted that this call isn’t one that is driven by vendetta or vengeance. Rather, it is a burning patriotic desire to see Nigeria become a developed and prosperous nation that makes good use of its natural resources through committed, transparent, and accountable leaders.
“The NNPCL, as custodian of our common patrimony, must never be left to continue operating like an individual property which is impervious to public scrutiny.
“Fellow Nigerians, the time for silence is over. We cannot get tired of watching our commonwealth being pillaged by a select few. President Tinubu’s administration has truly shown a commitment to reforming Nigeria into greatness, and we stand firmly in support of his vision and agenda.
“Nonetheless, a reform without accountability is merely cosmetic. The new helmsman, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, must be forewarned: the era of impunity is over. Nigerians will not tolerate another phase of misappropriation and concealment.
“We appeal to the media to amplify this call and maintain pressure on the authorities. Likewise, we urge every other stakeholder and group to lend their voices to this cause of a better Nigeria. Let’s understand that it is only through our collective vigilance that the heart of our nation can be preserved from kleptomaniac interests. If otherwise, our collective silence will embolden the corrupt actors to continue their evil plundering of our national resources.
“The situation at the NNPCL is symptomatic of a deeper malaise that must be uprooted if Nigeria is to fulfil its economic potential. The NNPCL $1.5 billion refinery debacle is not just a case of wasted funds; it is a national emergency that demands immediate and thorough redress.”
To this end, the group urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly, and the Presidency to act swiftly and without delay. They insisted that this must be the last time in Nigeria’s history that such flagrant impunity is tolerated, and that those responsible must face the full wrath of the law.
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