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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Situation Room on Transparency and Accountability, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to probe the US$1.5 billion budgeted for repair of the Port Harcourt refinery.
Convener of the group, Michael Omoba, in a statement yesterday, also demanded forensic audit of the financial transactions of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), at least in the last five years.
Omoba, in addition, requested a publication of the list of beneficiaries involved in the 80 million barrels allegedly given to non-state actors.
He said: “We, The Situation Room On Transparency And Accountability, therefore make a demand for a comprehensive audit and prosecution as follows:
“A forensic audit of all NNPCL financial transactions carried out in the last five years; open publication of the list of beneficiaries involved in the 80 million barrels allegedly given to non-state actors, a breakdown with the full report on how $1.5 billion was spent on the Port Harcourt refinery; a legislative oversight hearing to make sure that the National Assembly maintains the highest transparency requirements for the newly appointed NNPCL board.”
He said further: “This call isn’t one that is driven by vendetta or vengeance. Rather, it is burning patriotic desire to see Nigeria become a developed and prosperous nation that makes good use of its natural resources through committed, transparent and accountable leaders.
“The NNPCL as custodian of our common patrimony must never be left to continue operating like an individual property which is impervious to public scrutiny.
“The time for silence is over. We are tired of watching our commonwealth being pillaged by a select few. President Tinubu’s administration has truly shown a commitment to reforming Nigeria into greatness, and we stand firmly in support of his vision and agenda.
“Nonetheless, a reform without accountability is merely cosmetic. The new helmsman, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, must be forewarned: the era of impunity is over. Nigerians will not tolerate another phase of misappropriation and concealment.”
