Reps To Investigate NNPCL N20bn Consultancy Contract

House of Representatives has resolved to set up a committee to investigate the alleged diversion of N20bn by the staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

To this end, the House has set up an ad-hoc committee headed by the leader of the PDP Caucus, Hon Kingsley Chinda.

The member representing Tarauni federal constituency of Kano State, Hon Hafiz Kawu, in a motion of urgent national importance, alleged that staff of NNPCL diverted the funds under the guise of consultancy fees paid to its consultant Messrs Sapphire.

The funds, according to the lawmaker, was part of the money meant for the payment of taxes to state governments by the corporation.

He expressed concern that at a time when the Nigerian government was doing its best to fight corruption and  harness resources for the development of infrastructure, staff of an agency of government ought to be prudent in the utilization of state resources not to corruptly divert the same.

“Staff of an agency of government ought to be prudent in the utility of state resources not to corruptly divert it. If no action is urgently taken by this hollow chamber to nip this unethical and unwholesome practice in the bud, it will negatively affect the budget of our nation as well as deprive other state governments of its revenue,” Kawu said.