The Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has reiterated the parliament’s resolve to continue on the path of “truth “while addressing issues of revenue losses.
Tambuwal said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the investigative hearing on the alleged connivance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Swiss oil Dealers to rob Nigeria of billions of dollars.
The hearing was organised by the Joint committees on petroleum resources (upstream), petroleum resources (downstream) and Justice.
The Speaker, who was represented by the Chairman, Committee on Justice, Rep. Ali Ahmad, said that the importance of the investigation could not be overemphasied.
“The issue before us today, the alleged connivance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Swiss Oil Dealers to rob Nigeria billions of dollars is in our considered view, very important.
“It’s importance is predicated on the fact that outside of the collateral issues of fraud and economic sabotage; as a country, we cannot afford any loss in revenue, given the enormous challenges facing the country.
“As a parliament, we believe that if we continue on the path of truth; we shall stand on the right side of history,” he said.
Tambuwal said that it was based on this conviction that the House of Representatives, in its wisdom, referred the allegation to the joint committees to investigate.
He urged the committees to carry out the investigation with an “open mind”.
“As leaders, we must be sensitive to the needs of our people and do only those things that will reflect us in a positive light,” he said.
Earlier, the lead chairman of the joint committees, Rep.Muraina Ajibola (PDP-Oyo), said that the hearing was not aimed at witchhunting anybody.
Ajibola, who is the Chairman, Committee on Petroleum Resources (upstream),said that the hearing was a mandate given to the committees by the House to investigate the allegation.
He assured that the investigation would be carried out with a sense of “seriousness” to get to the root of the matter.
“Given the strategic role revenue from oil plays in our national economy, the committee will undertake this investigation with every sense of seriousness to make appropriate recommendations to the House.
“I assure you all, however, that we shall do so with an open mind,” he said. (NAN)
© anu for Royal Times of Nigeria Newspaper, 2014. |
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