NNPCL probe: Akwa Ibom Rep disowns pro-Kyari publication

The unending confusion in the House of Representatives over the NNPCL probe on endemic corruption in oil sector  has continued to spark reaction from lawmakers alleged to have sponsored an advertorial  against the sack of NNPCL boss  

Another member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Clement Jimbo (APC, Akwa Ibom), has disowned newspaper publications that kicked against the removal of the chief executive of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

Rep. Jimbo said he was not consulted before his name was included in the publication. In an interview with OrderPaper, he knowledge of the publication and said he was not even a member of any of the aforementioned committees involved in the probe of the oil and gas sector.

According to him, “I am not part of that nonsensical publication, I never appended my signature or consent to anything like that. Infact, I am not even a member of midstream or downstream committee so I do not know how they got my name on that publications. When the House resumes plenary I will bring this issue up under ‘personal explanation’ so that my name can be cleared. I am one of those that wants NNPCL to be investigated because why are we having shortage of petroleum products across the country. Nigerians are suffering because of fuel queues.“

Since the commencement of the probe of the NNPCL, the House of Representatives has been involved in one controversy or the other with lawmakers splitting into various groups and factions.

Some lawmakers whose names were published in major leading newspapers amongst the 120 members standing against the sack of NNPCL boss have denied knowledge of the purported advert.

The dissolved joint ad-hoc committee on downstream and midstream to probe the importation of adulterated petroleum products into the country and other infractions in the nation’s oil and gas sector chaired by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) reportedly faced alot of setbacks.

Recall that the House of Representatives on Monday, August 5, announced the dissolution of the joint committee and that the assignment will now be carried out by a special ad hoc committee with persons of integrity and expertise.

According to the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Rotimi Akin Jr. (APC, Ekiti) the move was “to ensure the efficacy and independence of this investigation, the new committee will consist of honourable members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity.”

The inauguration of the controversial NNPCL committee

Recall that the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC Abia) on behalf of the speaker, inaugurated the joint ad-hoc committee while expressing concern over the resurgence of fuel queues at petrol stations, the increasing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and the unavailability of crude oil feedstock for domestic refineries.

The joint committee was tasked with investigating the quality and the number of laboratories that both the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) use for their tests and to provide actionable feedback.

Recall also that while the committee probe was still ongoing and yet to submit its report, Rep. Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House, had called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the NNPCL boss, Melee Kyari and Farouk Ahmed the head of NMDPRA due to the issues in the downstream petroleum sector. But another group, led by another member of the House, Rep. Billy Osawaru (LP, Edo), has thrown its support behind the NNPCL boss.