BREAKING NEWS, Oil & Gas
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President Muhammadu Buhari says those found to have stolen or misappropriated funds of the National Petroleum Corporation will soon be prosecuted
NIGERIANS who misappropriated or stole billions of naira belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, will soon be prosecuted. President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this in New York, United States at a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China on Sunday, September 27.
In a statement issued by Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman, Buahri told the Chinese leader that his administration was determined to fully sanitize Nigeria’s oil industry and make it totally free of corruption and shady deals. He did not say when the prosecutions would start or if investigations into the alleged frauds had been concluded.
At the meeting with President Jinping, which was held on the sidelines of the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations, Buhari said that a necessary first step in reforming the oil sector had been taken with the appointment of a new management for the NNPC and its subsequent reorganisation.
The president thanked Jinping for China’s ongoing help in curbing crude oil theft from Nigeria.
He applauded China’s interception of shiploads of crude oil stolen from Nigeria, and which were to be sold and proceeds paid into private accounts.
“We know your stand on corruption, and we are grateful. Your continued cooperation in curbing oil theft from Nigeria will be appreciated,” Buhari told his Chinese counterpart.
He also told Jinping that under his administration, the Nigerian military had been re-trained and re-equipped, and was now making steady gains against Boko Haram.
Jinping told Buhari that China, which is already involved in Nigeria in diverse areas like railway, airports, agriculture, and in the Mambilla Hydro-power project, among others, would increase its investment in the country’s agricultural sector to support the achievement of domestic food security.
He also promised further Chinese investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and more support for human capital development in the country.
— Sep 28, 2015 @ 12:00 GMT
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