NNPC’s acquisition of OVH: Oil, gas sector should not be politicised – Rep Onuoha slams Atiku

A member of the House of Representatives representing Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency, Miriam Onuoha, has warned that the oil and gas sector of the economy is too critical to be politicized.

This is even as she hinted that she will not be a willing tool for the opposition to destroy what she described as the good work of President Bola Tinubu.

The warning comes after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar asked the Nigerian government to explain why Oando got accelerated approval in AGIP/ENI purchase.

Atiku also said that Tinubu’s government ignored a motion moved by Onuoha directing NNPC Ltd to suspend the acquisition of OVH assets pending an investigation by the House committee, thereby mortgaging the future of Nigerians.

Responding to the claim by the former Vice President, Onuoha, in a statement on Monday, said she will not allow herself to be used as an instrument of witch-hunt, blackmail and intimidation.

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Onuoha explained that she sponsored a motion on the “Need to Investigate the Irregularities and Alleged Corruption in the Nigerian Energy Security Provider, NNPC Retail Limited and the Acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing”, in a response to petition by staff members of NNPC Limited, who, according to her, were unsure of their employment status following the acquisition of OVH by NNPC Limited, and subsequent relocation of NNPC Retail Limited to Lagos.

She, however, stated that the petitioners’ fears were allayed on account of the detailed explanation by the NNPC management, and the Committee’s ability to ensure a transparent investigation.

Onuoha explained that the Group CEO of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, the Head of NNPC Retail Limited, and management staff members, appeared before the Committee and gave reasons for the acquisition of OVH, as well as the procedures followed in the acquisition.

She stressed that in course of the investigation, the Committee found that the President had taken some commendable steps to reposition the oil and gas sector, adding that the NNPC Limited, under Kyari, had also made significant strides in enhancing transparency and accountability within the company.

Part of the statement read: “I would like to state that the Committee invited the Group CEO of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, the Head of NNPC Retail Limited, and their management staff members, who appeared before the Committee where they gave reasons for the acquisition of OVH, as well as the procedures followed in the acquisition. They also rationalized the relocation to Lagos, which according to them, was to enable easy access to the market.

“From their submissions and the bills, it was obvious that members and management of NNPC Retail were constantly commuting to Abuja to engage in trade, which was not only expensive but was also resulting in loss of man-hour, among other challenges.

“Some staff members of NNPC Limited, who wrote and submitted the petition were also engaged by the Committee, and their fears were allayed on account of the detailed explanation by the NNPC management, and the Committee’s ability to ensure a transparent investigation.

“In the course of the investigation, the Committee found that President Bola Tinubu had taken some commendable steps to reposition the oil and gas sector.

“The Committee also discovered that the NNPC Limited, under Mele Kyari, had made significant strides in enhancing transparency and accountability within the company. For instance, despite the criticisms it had received in recent times, the national oil company trumped the distractions by releasing its annual financial statement for 2023, wherein it posted a number of positive results. This demonstrates transparency.

“Without a doubt, Kyari’s leadership has contributed to building a more transparent and accountable NNPC. His efforts have helped to restore public trust in the NNPC and to position the company as a more responsible corporate citizen. Even so, there is still room for improvement.

“While, as a legislator, I will continue to hold the Executive accountable, I will not allow myself to be used as an instrument of witch-hunt, blackmail, and intimidation. I will not be a willing tool for the opposition to destroy the good work of Mr. President, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, who is the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

“The oil and gas sector is very critical to the Nigerian economy. It should not be politicised. While constructive criticism is necessary to strengthen the sector in the interest of our nation, deploying propaganda and blackmail to score cheap political points is unhelpful, and worse, unpatriotic.”