Reps Demand Briefing On NNPC Audit Report …Want Probe Into Okrika Violence

The House of Representatives yesterday advised the Federal Government to make public the forensic audit report on Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The audit was conducted by PriceWaterHouse Coopers based on the alleged unremitted $20 billion by the corporation.
The house made the resolution when Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos-APC) drew its attention to the issue during plenary.
The House recalled that in April, 2014, the Presidency, through the Minister of Finance, engaged PriceWaterHouse Coopers, a reputable international firm, to carry out detailed forensic audit on the NNPC’s accounts.
The audit was specifically to ascertain the veracity of the allegation of the missing fund and the exact figure.
The House expressed concern that up till now, neither the public nor the National Assembly had been briefed in details with regard to the content of the audit report.
It, therefore, stressed the need for the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency make the audit report public.
This, it said, became necessary for accountability, in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act “and in the interest of the general public“.
The house also urged that government should make “the full report available to the Public Account Committee for the benefit of the House’’.
Also, the House of Representatives has urged  the police to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of recent attack on the political rally of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State.
This followed a motion moved by Rep. Robinson Uwak (APC-Akwa Ibom).
Uwak said if the perpetrators were not brought to justice immediately regardless of political affiliation, “it could encourage further political violence.’’
Uwak recalled that presidential candidates of all the political parties signed a peace accord in Abuja January 2015 to ensure violence-free elections.
He, however, noted with dismay that guns were fired and multiple explosions set off at the National School, Okrika, venue of the APC rally.
The lawmaker decried the attack, saying that it was not followed by proper response by the police and other security agencies.
He said, “The attack took place in spite of warnings by local politicians against the APC rally in Okrika.
“Such an open and audacious attack could encourage further political violence if the perpetrators are not brought to justice immediately regardless of political affiliation.”
The rally was staged by the APC’s governorship candidate in Rivers and member, House of Representatives, Dr Dakuku Peterside.

Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on ICT, Engr Goodliffe Nmekini (right) presenting a set of Ipads to HOD, Paediatrics Unit, BMSH, Dr Ajibola Alabi (middle) while Dr Josephine Aiyafo watches shortly after inspection of ICT facilities installed at the hospital in Port Harcourt, recently