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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC ) on Monday expressed dismay over a report in a section of the media alleging that it inflated petrol subsidy claims by N3.3 trillion.
The national oil firm stated that it conducted its businesses accountably and transparently in keeping with international best practices and had, at no time, inflated its subsidy claims with the Federal Government.
A statement by the NNPCL's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said all previous subsidy claims by the company were verifiable as relevant records and documents had been sent to relevant authorities and agencies.
The statement said: “NNPC is neither aware of any audit of its subsidy claims nor probe ensuing therefrom and wishes to state categorically that both ridiculous claims are products of the febrile imagination of the reporters and their respective media houses.
“NNPCL will resist any attempt to drag the company into the apparent politics of fuel subsidy as it currently operates on commercial basis and on the express provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“It is on record that in line with its Transparency, Accountability & Performance Excellence (TAPE) mantra, NNPC has, on several occasions, independently invited external auditors to review its books.”
NNPCL called on media practitioners and media houses to exercise restraint and verify information before publication in keeping with the ethics of the noble profession of journalism to avoid misleading the public.
