The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, has dismissed reports that the corporation is responsible for the rot in the oil sector of the country.
Kyari put up the defence when he appeared before the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Wednesday.
The committee, led by Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Majority Leader, is probing the alleged importation of substandard petroleum products into the country.
The GCEO said NNPC is protecting the country’s interest.
“NNPCL is loyal and faithful to the country,” Kyari said.
“[Most problems in the petroleum industry] have nothing to do with NNPCL. We are faithful and loyal to the economic interest of this country.
“We are not criminals. We are not thieves. But we will protect our dignity and honour.”
Earlier, the committee raised questions about a sum of $1.5billion approved by the Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2021, for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.
Bamidele said the investment had not yielded any results.
“In 2021, specifically, the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5 billion for the turn-around maintenance of the Port Harcourt refinery,” he said.
“Yet, this investment has not yielded significant returns.
“For us, in the senate, we believe it is unfair and unpatriotic to treat government businesses or public corporations as an orphan while private businesses are flourishing and thriving.
“From our findings, we will craft a legislative framework that will entrench global best practices in the industry; open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors and end vicious regimes of subterfuge in the petroleum industry.
“We are utterly committed to this mandate. We shall carry it out without fear or favour.
“We shall be equitable, fair and just to all parties with a view to promoting and protecting the strategic national interests of our fatherland.”
