Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee Mr Nalaraba described their absence as unfortunate because the committee was far behind schedule in the discharge of its assignment. Photo: Ibrahim Shehu/Radio Nigeria
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (MMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, have shunned a probe of irregularities and alleged corruption in the NNPCL.
The probe is carried out by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, investigating the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing by the NNPCL.
Executive Vice President of the NNPCL (Downstream), Yemi Adetunji represented Mele Kyari, while the NMDPRA was represented by a director Soji Soloye, where they informed the committee that their various Chief Executives could not attend the hearing because they were attending to other things.
When the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee Hassan Nalaraba, however inquired if they are ready to speak on behalf of their principals at the probe, they declined.
“This is an ad hoc committee on the need to investigate the irregularities and alleged corruption in the Nigeria energy security provider, the NNPC Limited, and the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing.
The House resolved to set up this Ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of OVH Energy by NNPCL and report within four weeks.
“Unfortunately, we are far behind schedule despite the extension of the House recess, we still feel the need to continue or to progress with this investigation,” he said.
The hearing dissolved into a closed-door session for the panel to decide an appropriate time for the Chief Executives to appear.
Reporting by Ibrahim Shehu; Editing by Muzha Kucha