The Senate has mandated its Committee on Public Accounts to carry out thorough investigation into the activities of the operation of an account jointly owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Agip Oil Company.
The resolution was sequel to a motion titled “Urgent need to investigate NNPC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company IPP Security Account” sponsored by Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi State).
The lawmaker observed that the account opened with the name NNPC/ Nigerian Agip Oil Company IPP Security account with address NNPC Garki, Herbert Macaulay Way domiciled in the First Bank of Nigeria Plc with number 2006367288.
According to him, “The Senate notes with concern the operation of an account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC/Agip Oil Company.
“The opening balance (in the account) is N31, 704, 807, 979.2 with a closing balance of N34, 423, 738, 086.4 as at 25th April, 2017″.
The senator pointed out that there have been lodgments and withdrawals from the account since January 2017.
He, therefore, said that a lot of questions are begging for answers as regards the account, including the objectives, signatories and its sources of funding.
The lawmaker maintained that “there is an urgent need to investigate the rationale behind the operation of the account”.
Contributing, Sam Anyanwu (PDP, Imo State), who seconded the motion, said it has become imperative for the Senate to carry out thorough investigation on the operation of an account by the NNPC/Agip Oil Company.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, directed the Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the matter and submit its report within four weeks.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
