Saraki Talks Tough: NNPC Is Engine Room of Corruption

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as the engine room of corruption in the country, lamenting that none of the perpetrators of illegal deals in the corporation had so far been apprehended and brought to justice.

Saraki said, “I think we need the cooperation of our workers who know it all. They see it happen and when you look at the anti-corruption agencies, with all due respect, you will find out that 80 per cent of some of the cases are cases at the state level. 

“You hardly see where people who are the real engine room – which is the NNPC – where most of these corruption cases on oil are, being put on trial.”

He, therefore, challenged the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to assist to fight corruption by encouraging their members in the oil and gas sector to expose those behind subsidy scam in the country.

Saraki who stated this while addressing the leadership of the NLC led by its President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in his office, asked the oil and gas workers to reveal the identities of subsidy thieves and watch whether they would be protected or not.

He added that, “We in the 8th Senate have said there will be zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption is one issue slowing down development and some of the problems we are tackling."

But the NLC President called for transparency in the execution of the National Assembly annual budget.

He recalled that the budget for the National Assembly for 2011 was shrouded in secrecy because the lawmakers used their influence to move it into the first line charge in the Federation Account.