By Adewole Kehinde
On July 24, 2019, Mele Kyari unveils Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) initiative to drive performance in NNPC
Mele Kyari had explained that while the Transparency component of the agenda was aimed at maintaining positive image, share values of integrity and transparency to all stakeholders, the Accountability leg of the campaign would assure compliance with business ethics, policies, regulations and accountability to all stakeholders.
In terms of the two-prong item of Performance Excellence, Mele Kyari said the idea was to entrench a high level of efficiency anchored on efficient implementation of business processes which would also emplace an appropriate reward system for exceptional performance among the workforce.
It is on record that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation made history under Mele Kyari with the publication of its first audited financial statements after 43 years of its operation.
Mele Kyari has sustained the “NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR)” since he resumed office to date and this can been accessed via the NNPC website aside all the online media across the country.
Again, on Tuesday, 9th March, 2021, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari justified the deductions made by his Corporation to run its operations.
Kyari, who appeared before the Wole Oke-led House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), maintained that the expenditure running into billions of naira was in line with the law that established the corporation.
He cited a Supreme Court Judgment and approval by the Attorney General of the Federation to justify his position.
The GMD said: “What we do is backed by the provisions of the law. First, the NNPC Act is very clear that we should submit the net revenues of our cost.
“There is also an informed decision of the Supreme Court and also the Attorney General of the Federation that the position is correct and supported by law.
Kyari’s appearance was engendered by an audit query from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) over dwindling government revenues from 2014 to 2020.
The committee had invited him to defend deductions from source of the sum of N865 billion from the N2.4 trillion generated by the corporation in 2015.
The NNPC was particularly asked to explain the non-remittance of N3.8 trillion of domestic crude oil sales, non-collection of gas receipts for some months, and refund of N450 billion among others.
The office of the AuGF Auditor General had claimed that the deductions violated Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The provision demands that all incomes must be paid into the federation account.
From my investigation, forensic audit has established that NNPC was owing about N797 billion but also on the other hand, the federation was also owing NNPC. The net effect was that the NNPC was being owed N239 billion. So, there is nothing like N4 trillion withheld by the NNPC.
Rather, the National Assembly should commend Mallam Mele Kyari and his Management team for their commitment to accountability, transparency and excellence performance in sustaining effective communication with stakeholders through the Monthly Financial and Operations Report and other reports published on NNPC website and in national dailies.
I will advise National Assembly pass a law making it mandatory for all Ministries, Department and Agencies to follow the step of NNPC by publishing their Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR).
Adewole Kehinde is the Publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846, 08123608662
