The South South Youths Initiative (SSYI) has backed the Senate’s investigation into the former leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), urging ex-Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari and former Executive Vice-President (Upstream), Adokiye Tombomieyie, to explain the reported $1.5 billion spent on rehabilitating the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The group argued that despite the huge investment, the refinery remains non-functional, describing the situation as an economic injustice against Nigerians and the Niger Delta. It also questioned the use of a separate $1 billion loan obtained for the project during the Buhari administration.
SSYI expressed support for the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s probe into alleged financial discrepancies in NNPCL’s accounts, including allegations involving N210 trillion in unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023. It praised Senator Adams Oshiomhole for pushing for accountability.
The group called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the refinery rehabilitation and related financial transactions.
SSYI warned that it could mobilise protests at the NNPCL headquarters in Abuja if authorities failed to begin visible investigations within days.
Responding to the allegations, former NNPC Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya insisted that no funds were missing, stating that the company generated N54.5 trillion during the period under review and that its audited accounts reflected all transactions.
Kyari also rejected claims that he was avoiding the Senate probe, explaining that he had informed the committee of his medical trip abroad and remained willing to appear before lawmakers immediately after returning to the country.
