Reps hire body to look into N20 billion paid to ghost workers.

To look into the alleged theft of N20 billion by employees of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, the House of Representatives established an ad hoc committee yesterday.

The money was allegedly siphoned off by paying fictitious consultants.

The House resolution was discussed after Ibrahim Mohammed Kawu’s motion of urgent public significance was made in the plenary.

Remember that NNPCL denied the claim of missing N20 billion in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Muhammad, claiming that it does not work with ghost consultants.

Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Banking and Currency Kawu, who is presenting the motion, claimed that NNPCL workers were suspected of diverting about N20 billion that was allegedly given to its consultants, Messers Safaya.

He said; “The said over twenty billion naira diverted by the staff of the NNPC is part of monies meant for payment of taxes to State Governments.

“If no action is taken by the parliament to nip this unwholesome practice in the bud, it will negatively affect the fortune of the nation as well as deprive State governments of access to revenue.

Following the adoption of the resolution, the speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, appointed Kingsley Chinda as the committee’s chair, along with six other members, to conduct an investigation and submit a report to the House for further legislative action within four weeks.

In related news, the House approved a motion introduced by Abdulkadir Rahis calling the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social