In transparency pledge, NNPC to open books to greater scrutiny

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has pledged to open its books to greater access and scrutiny, especially by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF).

This was revealed in a statement issued by the NNPC following a visit by the Auditor General of the Federation, Anthony Ayine, to the Corporation in Abuja.

The statement noted that the OAuGF was impressed with the Corporation’s current efforts at accountability.

It stated that Ayine commended the Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, for improved access to its books as observed during periodic checks by OAuGF on the books of the Corporation.

Ayine further called for improved synergy between the OAuGF and the oil and gas industry especially in providing technical exposure and support for auditors.

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Responding, Baru explained that transparency and accountability had become a way of life for management and staff of the corporation, noting that the era of unpublished or accumulated NNPC audit accounts had been confined to the past.

He revealed that the NNPC planned to conclude the audit of its 2015 accounts latest by the end of August 2017, while preparation of the 2016 audited account which began about a month ago would be concluded by the end of 2017.

Baru said, “This explains why we publish our operations and financial reports every month so that not only your office but the general public could follow the trail. I don’t think there is any government institution that has demonstrated this level of transparency.”

He added that the NNPC had a mandate to ensure that Nigeria reaped tremendously from the proceeds of its vast hydrocarbon resources, stating that the NNPC management was also willing at all times to adopt measures that would lead to the attainment of the lofty objective.

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