Corruption: PHCCIMA wants NNPC reorganised

MAY 5, 2012 BY CHUKWUDI AKASIKE, PORT HARCOURT 

With the rising level of corruption in the oil sector, the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has called for the reorganisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

PHCCIMA president, Dr. Vincent Furo, made this call in Port Harcourt while expressing the need to bring in fresh and transparent individuals to run the NNPC. Furo described a situation where the management of the corporation failed to monitor the quantity of fuel loaded for distribution as a deliberate disservice to the nation.

He explained that the rot in the oil sector had made it difficult for the country to attain its potential as the world’s eighth largest producer of crude oil.

The PHCCIMA boss noted that Nigeria had nothing to show for its massive oil production because of the level of corruption and lack of political will by the government to put measures in place that would address the problems affecting the sector.

He said, “I think NNPC should be totally reorganised and replaced with an entirely new manpower that is committed and result-oriented to operate the national corporation.

“With reviewed copies of investigation showing billions of dollars missing from Nigeria’s oil revenue as a result of huge irregularities in NNPC, every right thinking Nigerian would agree that the best option is a total reorganisation, where fresh and transparent individuals will be brought in to run the NNPC.

“Where is patriotism and national conscience? It is high time the government and relevant authorities woke from their slumber and ensure that no one is left in a position unmonitored for a long period. This will help to reduce the debilitating effect of corruption in our oil sector.”

According to him, Nigerians should learn from advanced countries, where systems that monitor and assess productivity level of employees are put in place to ensure no one remains in a position arbitrarily.

“It is only in this country that an individual occupies an office for many years and continuously reduces their age to avert retrenchment and to perpetually remain in office to benefit from embezzlement,” Furo observed.

He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to check the unwholesome activities of civil servants in the country by setting up private agencies that would monitor the conduct of managers.

He maintained that the government must take measures to ensure that funds embezzled from the coffers of the government were refunded, saying, “Even if it means taking possession of the property of such individuals before sending them to jail with hard labour to serve as deterrent to others.”

SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. 5 May 2012.