The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has refuted a statement credited to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, that the corporation owes the Federation Accounts N2.3 trillion.
In a statement by Tuminie Green, the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, on Sunday, NNPC expressed dismay at what it termed the increasing unwarranted and unfounded accusations against it by otherwise informed persons in the polity, persons, who, by virtue of their positions in government, should know better.
Green said that Oshiomhole’s unfortunate attack is part of a sustained campaign against the Corporation and its leadership in recent times.
The statement said the attacks are aimed at distracting it from the dogged pursuit of the transformation of the oil and gas industry for the general good of the nation, noting that the NNPC will not be distracted by any campaign of calumny from any quarters.
Green said in the statement: “We wish to state without any equivocation that we do not owe the Federation Accounts any money as at today, taking into account outstanding subsidies and other associated costs of operations and loses.
“We have consistently paid all monies due to the FA into its Central Bank of Nigeria account as we receive them.”
She noted that not all revenues collected by the NNPC are paid directly into the accounts of FA with the Central Bank of Nigeria, adding: “Some are paid into the accounts of the relevant government agencies, like the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Department of Petroleum Resources, with the CBN. But eventually all these payments are credited to the accounts of the FAAC.”
Green stated that another important issue, which is not taken into account by critics who reel out figures without cross-checking, is the outstanding debts owed NNPC by the Federal Government, especially from subsidy.
The statement said: “Nigerians may wish to recall that in the wake of January 2012 subsidy saga, there was no budgetary provision for subsidy to NNPC and again in 2013 there was no budgetary provision for subsidy to the Corporation. NNPC has not received one kobo from the Federal Government in the name of fuel subsidy. Yet, Nigerians also know that NNPC has been the major supplier of petroleum products to the nation during this period and before.
“Indeed, for the whole period that the subsidy saga continued, NNPC was the sole supplier of PMS across the country, and we never failed to ensure that every nook and corner of Nigeria was wet with PMS.”
Green expressed the determination of the Corporation to ensure that petroleum products were available to move people and goods from one place to the other thus contributing to national economic growth.
She said in addition to these outstanding payments are material loses that the Corporation incurs on almost daily basis from crude oil theft, products theft, pipeline vandalism and other acts of sabotage, stressing that these sad developments are beyond the control of the NNPC.
She added: “It is therefore imperative for all state government, local government and authorities at all levels to join the NNPC to stem the incessant tide of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other economic sabotage against the nation. That way, more funds will be available to FAAC (Federation Accounts Allocation Committee).”
The NNPC spokesperson reiterated that the Corporation is unwilling to join issues with anyone and will remain resolute in addressing the series of accusation for the purpose of establishing facts for the Nigeria public.
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