Contrary to an online media platform’s report, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) says it is not true that it paid the sum of N20 billion to some ghost consultants, describing it as unverified and baseless.
It also dismissed the online’s report that the company refused to pay Back Duty Tax Liability to the tune of N18 billion due to the Ogun State Government, explaining that the matter is being challenged in court.
The NNPC Ltd as a responsible corporate organization, it does not have ghost consultants on its list of clients talkless of dealing with any ghost consultant.
“The NNPC Ltd read with utmost dismay, a report by an online platform Sahara Reporters alleging paying the sum of N20bn to ghost consultants and theft of multi-billion Naira tax due to the Ogun State Government.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that as a responsible corporate organization, it does not have or deal with ghost consultants.
“At NNPC Ltd, the process of engaging consultants whenever the need arises is clear and verifiable and follows global best practices.
“It is therefore unfortunate that for whatever reason, the said online platform would make such a grievous allegation, mindless of the consequences of such actions. The claim of a missing N20bn is absolutely false and baseless,’’ Mr Garba Deen Muhammad, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said in a statement on Tuesday, a copy of which was given to Persecondnews.
The company cautioned Sahara Reporters against publishing reports on its operations without verification.
According to the NNPCL, the process of engaging consultants whenever the need arises is clear and verifiable and such action follows global best practices.
“The NNPC Ltd, therefore, demands that Sahara Reporters retracts the said publication immediately; and going forward, the platform should verify its facts before going to press,’’ it demanded.
On the N18 billion duty tax due to Ogun government, the NNPC said the liability was against one of its subsidiaries — the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd –, pointing out that the company had already objected to it and challenged the claim through its tax consultant.
“The second component of the said unfortunate report is related to Ogun State Government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18bn, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd.
“For clarity, PPMC had objected and challenged the claim through its Tax Consultant. Consequently, the Ogun State Government took the matter to court which is not unusual in business circles.
“The matter is currently before the court and NNPC Ltd will prove its case accordingly.
“In conclusion, NNPC Ltd strongly advises the said online publication to be mindful of the consequences of its actions before taking them,’’ the statement said.
“For a matter that is already in court, as admitted by the online publication, it is sad that any medium can arrive at such subjudice conclusions as shown by the actions of the online medium.’’
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