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By Adewale Sanyaolu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called on the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr. Mr Mele Kyari, to promptly publish details of Nigeria’s oil production and export figures.
A statement made available to Daily Sun by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, equally called on NNPC to make available total amount of revenue generated since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023, alongside remittances to the federation account.
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had last week alleged that “the NNPCL is failing to remit enough foreign exchange into the treasury despite the removal of fuel subsidy,” asking: “Where is the money?”
A letter dated December 9, 2023 signed by Oluwadare, reads “There is a legitimate public interest in disclosing the information sought.”
SERAP said: “Opacity in the amount of barrels of oil the country produces and exports daily, the revenues generated and remitted to the public treasury would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest.”
Transparency would ensure that the revenues are not diverted into private pockets, and increase public trust that the money would be used to benefit Nigerians.”
The letter reads in part: “The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information. We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with our requests in public interest.”
SERAP is seriously concerned that years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public trust and confidence in the NNPCL.”
“Ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of the NNPCL would improve the enjoyment by Nigerians of their right to natural wealth and resources.”
SERAP said it was concerned that despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the culture of impunity of perpetrators.
It added that combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations.
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions and officials to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 imposes clear responsibility on the NNPCL to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
