By Biodun-Thomas Davids
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has noted with dismay a report in a section of the media alleging that it inflated subsidy claims by N3.3trillion, and wishes to state that:
“NNPC Ltd conducts its businesses accountably and transparently in keeping with international best practices and has, at no time, inflated its subsidy claims with the Federal Government. All previous subsidy claims by the Company are verifiable as relevant records and documents have been sent to relevant authorities and agencies. ”
While refuting the alleged inflation in a release obtained from the office of the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the company, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC further stressed that, it was neither aware of any audit of its subsidy claims nor probe ensuing therefrom and wishes to “state categorically that both ridiculous claims are products of the febrile imagination of the reporters and their respective media houses.”
Speaking further in the release, the company vowed to” resist any attempt to drag the Company into the apparent politics of fuel subsidy as it currently operates on commercial basis and on the express provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).”
In a related statement it expressed, “It is on record that in line with its Transparency, Accountability & Performance Excellence (TAPE) mantra, NNPC Ltd. has, on several occasions, independently invited external auditors to review its books.”
The company in the meantime called on media practitioners and media houses to exercise restraint and verify information before publication in keeping with the ethics of the noble profession of journalism to avoid misleading the public.
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