The presidency, Monday received from the Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) the forensic report on the alleged unremitted oil revenue by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the Federation Account.
In a ceremony witnessed by the Auditor General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, President Goodluck Jonathan, who received the report from the firm’s Country Senior Partner, Mr. Uyi Akpata, said he was happy that the report was finally out, adding that it would go a long way in bringing to an end the controversy over allegations of “stolen funds” in NNPC.
Jonathan described the reports in some newspapers as ridiculous, adding that the kind of figures that he could not even believe, were being bandied as missing funds.
He said the Auditor General would look at the report and present key highlights of it to the public within one week.
“There has been so much of controversy over NNPC and leakages or no leakages. I remember the Senate had also looked into it, so it is also good that you professionals have also looked into it.
“What appeared in the papers and speculations were also very high. In fact, figures that I cannot even imagine the country would make were being bandied in the newspapers.
“So, I am quite pleased that you have undertaken the forensic audit. Though it is voluminous, I will give it to the professionals.
“In government work, there are people that have the statutory responsibilities to handle such assignments, which is the auditor general of the federation.
“So, the auditor general will look at it and within the week, let us know the key highlights because the media would want to know the key findings vis-a-vis the Senate findings and figures being bandied around in the newspapers, because Nigerians are interested in this information,” Jonathan said.
The president also said his administration was committed to reforming the oil sector with the Petroleum Industrial Bill (PIB), which was still before the National Assembly.
“Indeed you mentioned the issue of reform in the sector and everybody knows that the sector needs to be reformed.
“By the time we go through the Petroleum Industry Bill and pass it into a law, most of these lapses will be corrected and the misconceptions will be properly addressed,” he said.
Jonathan thanked PWC for its work and expressed confidence that the report would help to move things forward and set the records straight, promising to handle the recommendations of the report decisively.(Daily Post)
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