ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The House of Representatives has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged theft of N20 billion by the staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, (NNPCL).
It was alleged that the sum was siphoned through a payment made to ghost consultants.
The House resolution, followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance moved at plenary by Ibrahim Mohammed Kawu.
The NNPCL had through a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Muhammad, denied the allegation of missing N20 billion, insisting it does not deal with ghost consultants.
Presenting the motion, Kawu, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Banking and Currency, said NNPCL staff were reported to have diverted over N20billion said to have been paid to its consultants; Messers Safaya.
His words: “The said over twenty billion naira diverted by the staff of the NNPC is part of monies meant for payment of taxes to State Governments.
“If no action is taken by the parliament to nip this unwholesome practice in the bud, it will negatively affect the fortune of the nation as well as deprive State governments of access to revenue.”
Adopting the motion, the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who presided over plenary, set up an ad-hoc committee to be chaired by Kingsley Chinda and six other lawmakers to investigate and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.