The House of Representatives Committee on Finance walked out the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, during a public hearing on tax reform on Tuesday. Naija247news reports that Kyari was asked to leave the hearing after he failed to submit a required presentation on NNPC’s contributions to the nation’s tax system.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Naija247news, the committee, chaired by Hon. James Faleke, expressed disappointment with Kyari’s failure to comply with the hearing’s guidelines. “We cannot proceed with this hearing if you have not submitted your presentation. Kindly leave and return when you are ready,” Faleke told Kyari during the session.
Naija247news gathered that the NNPC boss had arrived at the hearing without the necessary documents, despite being notified weeks in advance. Kyari apologized for the oversight and promised to return with the required presentation, but the committee insisted on enforcing its rules.
Naija247news understands that the hearing was part of the House’s efforts to review and reform Nigeria’s tax system, with a focus on improving revenue generation and ensuring compliance by corporate organizations. According to Naija247news, the NNPC, as a major revenue-generating entity, was expected to provide detailed insights into its tax contributions and challenges.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders, with some praising the committee for upholding due process and others criticizing the decision to walk out Kyari. “This is a clear demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to accountability. No one is above the law,” said a civil society activist who spoke to Naija247news.
According to Naija247news, Kyari’s walkout has also raised questions about the NNPC’s preparedness for such engagements. “This is not the first time the NNPC has been called to account. They need to be more organized and proactive in their dealings with the National Assembly,” said a political analyst who spoke to Naija247news.
Naija247news reports that the NNPC has since submitted the required presentation, and Kyari is expected to reappear before the committee at a later date. The company has also issued a statement apologizing for the incident and reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability.
As the tax reform hearing continues, Naija247news gathered that there is growing optimism about the potential impact of the reforms on Nigeria’s economy. “This is a critical moment for Nigeria. We need a tax system that is fair, efficient, and capable of generating the revenue needed to drive development,” said a stakeholder who attended the hearing.
