Reps to probe NNPCL over non-remittance of revenue

The House of Representatives is set to commence investigations into the non-remittance of revenues to the federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

This followed the adoption of a motion “Need to investigate the non–remittance of due taxes by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited into the Federation Account,” moved by Uduak Odudo during plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, Odudo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, noted that Section 162(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides for “The Federation Account” which receives revenues collected by the Government of the Federation except such that are exempted therein.

He also noted that the said “federation account” belongs to the entire federation with the Federal Government tasked with keeping the same trust for the three tiers of government.

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Odudo said the allocation of revenue prescribes the basis for the distribution of revenue accruing to the federation account between the Federal, State and Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

“The NNPCL averred that the Federal Government owed it over N4trn of subsidy payments, power debt and other sundry charges and therefore would not remit until the debts are recovered.

“Note that the non–remittance accusation and counter-accusation are tantamount to a calculated attempt to disrespect and downplay the collective intelligence of Nigerians,” the motion reads.

According to the lawmaker, “The fate of the national development largely depends on how transparent and accountable relevant government agencies and corporate entities are in the collation, remittance and distribution of revenues solely acquired.

“Section 6 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act, established the Federation Account Allocation Committee to among other functions, report annually to the National Assembly in respect of the function under the Act,” he said.

Odudo further explained that the non-remittance of crude sales, royalties, and taxes by the Nigerian National NNPCL into the Federation Account is not new, adding that there was the need to address it once and for all.