The National Transparency Network has called for a probe into the financial records of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited during the tenure of Mele Kyari, the former group chief executive officer (GCEO).
On April 2, President Bola Tinubu removed Kyari as the GCEO of the national oil firm and named Bayo Ojulari as his replacement.
Defending the decision, the president cited the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restore investor confidence” to make the NNPC more commercially viable.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Fabian Opialu, the group’s coordinator, said the reform of the company cannot be complete without thorough accountability of previous leadership.
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He said the billions of naira expended in the refurbishment of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries should be investigated.
“Nigerians were led to believe that these funds, allocated by the Buhari-led administration in 2021, were intended for a comprehensive overhaul,” he said.
Opialu claimed that the Port Harcourt refinery has not met the demands of Nigerians.
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“We appeal to the media to amplify this call and maintain pressure on the authorities. Likewise, we urge all stakeholders and groups to lend their voices to this cause for a better Nigeria,” he said.
“It is only through our collective vigilance that the heart of our nation can be preserved from kleptomaniac interests.”
Opialu added that an investigation into the spending of the NNPC in recent months would enhance accountability in the entity.
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