A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on transparency and accountability has demanded an immediate investigation into the expenditure of $1.5 billion on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the leadership of former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
At a press conference in Abuja, the coalition described the expenditure as a “monumental financial misappropriation,” demanding a full forensic audit of all financial transactions carried out by the NNPCL in the last five years.
While expressing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms and anti-corruption stance, the coalition emphasised that the removal of Kyari must be followed by decisive accountability measures.
The Convener of the coalition, Ambassador Michael Omoba, said, “The dismissal of Mr. Kyari was not only timely but long overdue. The NNPCL, under his watch, operated like an opaque and unaccountable caba.. Nigerians deserve answers on how $1.5 billion was spent on a refinery that remains non-functional.”
The group also highlighted other concerns, including the alleged disappearance of 89 million barrels of crude oil, a lack of transparency in NNPCL’s partnership with Matrix Oil, and the suspension of the Naira-for-Crude policy, describing them as signs of deeper economic sabotage.
The coalition demanded a forensic audit of NNPCL’s financial activities from the past five years, public disclosure of all parties involved in the alleged transfer of crude oil to non-state actors, and a detailed report on how the $1.5 billion was spent.
“We are not driven by vendetta but by a patriotic duty to protect Nigeria’s resources,” Omoba said. “This is a national emergency that must be addressed urgently.”
They urged the EFCC, the National Assembly, and the Presidency to act swiftly, warning that failure to hold those responsible accountable could erode public trust and embolden corrupt practices in the future. (Guardian)
