Providing her perspective on the forensic investigation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited by the Petroleum (Midstream/Downstream) Joint committee of the House of Representatives, Marie Ebikake, the Representative for Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, voiced her disagreement with the directive mentioned in the media.
She clarified that the directive concerning the audit of the NNPCL did not accurately represent the committee’s actual stance.
The Special Joint Committee, headed by Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato South/Ideato North Federal Constituency, Imo State, instructed the NNPCL to suspend what it termed as the mortgaging of Nigeria’s future crude oil until the completion of its investigation.
Last week, the committee began investigating illicit transactions in the sector.
The committee’s decision came in response to reports that NNPCL intended to secure an additional $2bn in crude oil-backed loans from foreign lenders to enhance its financial streams.
However, in a statement released online by PUNCH on Friday, Ebikake distanced herself from the directive imposed on the national oil company.
In the statement, she expressed, “If the recent publication attributed to some of our colleagues, which starkly contradicts the stance of the Petroleum (Midstream & Downstream) Joint Committee, regarding the ongoing forensic investigation of the NNPCL’s operations, is accurate, I fail to grasp the importance of sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, in terms of our duty as representatives of the populace.
“If indeed the press release originated from the alleged group of 50 legislators, then it is a regrettable development that undermines none other than our honorable selves, as it publicly reveals a rift on a critical issue of national significance, thereby causing irreparable harm to our collective integrity as representatives of the people.
“In my view, even the parliamentary decorum insinuated by the group should not be evoked to shield the interests of heads of agencies, organizations, and public institutions at the expense of safeguarding the citizens’ interests, which, I believe, is the sacred duty of the parliamentary body.
“As such, I categorically disassociate myself from the group of 50’s decision, firmly believing that the stance held by Ugochinyere’s joint committee genuinely reflects the common interest of our constituents and the President’s goodwill.”