Ike Amos
04 August 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Friday, stated that its 2015 financial statement is yet to be concluded, adding that the account would be ready by the end of August 2017.
The NNPC in a statement in Abuja said its Group Managing Director, Mr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this during a business visit of the Auditor General for the Federation, (AGF) to the NNPC.
Baru further stated that preparation of the 2016 audited account had commenced about a month ago and would be concluded by the end of 2017.
He said that transparency and accountability had become a way of life for management and staff of the Corporation noting that the era of unpublished or accumulated NNPC audit accounts had been confined to the history book.
He noted that as an entity, the NNPC had a mandate to ensure that Nigeria reaped bountifully from the proceeds of its vast hydrocarbon resources and that the NNPC is also willing at all times to adopt measures that would propel the realization of this noble objective.
He said, “This explains why we publish our operations and financial reports every month so that not only your office but the general public could follow the trail. I don’t think there is any government institution that has demonstrated this level of transparency.”
Also speaking, the AGF said it had received the renewed assurance of the NNPC boss to allow improved access to auditors from the office of the AGF during periodic checks on the books of the Corporation.
Ayine noted that as the foremost accountability institution in the country, the OAuGF was not only delighted to note the significant changes in the Corporation but was further encouraged by the renewed assurance from the GMD of improved access to auditors from the office of the AGF during periodic checks on the books of the NNPC.
He said, “Let me at this juncture commend the Group Managing Director, (GMD) of NNPC. I note with delight that he assumed office in July last year, but he has done quite a number of things worthy of commendation. Let me also note with delight that the information available to me is that the audited accounts of NNPC that were in arrears are now audited up to 31st December 2014.”