Tension in NNPC as DSS quizzes refineries MDs

The DSS has continued its probe to unravel the circumstances surrounding crude oil swap deals that did not seem to benefit Nigeria much, by extending the tentacles to managing directors of the four troubled refineries.

It was learnt, that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) top brass were quizzed in Abuja by the agency’s officials, in a bid to get an insight into the allocation of crude to the refineries and the contracts for crude swaps.

Nation reports, that those being questioned to ascertain how they have been managing the crude allocated to the refineries and what they processed are: Warri Refinery Managing Director Paul Obelley, Port Harcourt Refinery Managing Director Fred Enjugu and Kaduna Refinery chief Saidu Mohammed. They could not be reached for comments last night.

The investigation, which began last month, was sparked by the need to arrest the huge cash lost through opaque contracts in which crude oil worth billions of dollars was given to traders in exchange for refined imports, mainly gasoline.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) launched the investigation last month.

A security source said the DSS wanted to find out how the value of the crude and products was computed.

“It appears that the value of the crude was more than the value of the refined imported,” a security source said.

The contracts, known as offshore processing agreements (OPAs) are between Pipelines and Product Marketing Co (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC and companies.

The NNPC last week admitted that some of its officials were invited by security agencies “to shed light” on the contracts.

The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has said there was a revenue loss of at least $600 million due to a discrepancy between the value of the crude and the products delivered. The figure was taken from its 2009-2011 and 2012 audits of the oil and gas industry. The latest was released this year.

Some contract-holders have said that the discrepancies in value were reconciled.

Product exchange (swap) and offshore processing agreement (OPA) are transactions in which the NNPC supplies the other party with crude oil in return for refined products for sale locally on a value-for-value basis.

Under the Offshore Processing Agreements (OPA), the NNPC provides crude oil to another party who would refine the crude oil on behalf of the NNPC and return the refined products to the Corporation based on the yield slate of the refinery. The NNPC provides the crude oil and pays the refining and other incidental costs.

But an NNPC source said last night that managing directors of the refineries were not involved in the SWAP and OPA arrangements.

According to him, it is completely between the oil traders and the government. He added that the swap and OPA oil deals were created as a result of the poor state of the refineries, adding that the refineries are now begging for supply of crude to enable them produce.

He also explained that because the refineries are down and the rule is that the NNPC must remit the dollar value of the 445,000 barrels per day supply into the Federation Account, the corporation sells the crude at international market price and remits into the Federation Account.

“The Swap and OPA arrangements were considered economically wise and beneficial to the government in terms of value addition, that is why it was introduced: the source added, pleading not to be named because he is not allowed to speak.

The fear of a massive purge after a probe of the activities of the NNPC has gripped top officials of the oil giant.

The Deputy Group Managing Director/Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts), Bernard Otti has been away abroad since the inauguration of the new government. Sources said he is abroad for medical reasons.

Company Secretary/Legal Adviser Ikechukwu Oguine resigned and paid three months salary to the corporation in lieu of notice.

The four refineries will resume production next month, according to NNPC spokesman Ohi Alegbe.

The commencement of production by the refineries raises hope of an end to perennial petrol shortages that have plagued the country, which though is Africa’s largest crude producer, has been battling with a crippling fuel scarcity.

The NNPC has four refineries — two in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, one in Kaduna and another in Warri, with a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day.

A network of pipelines and depots located throughout the country links these refineries.

Ripples…without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now