The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has rejected claims that he receives N2.7 trillion annually from a pipeline surveillance contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its joint venture partners.
The denial was issued by Prince Collins Edema, the monarch’s sole representative to NNPCL and its joint venture partners, following an allegation by Asari Dokubo-Asari, Amanyanabo of the Source, Elem Kalabari, in a video circulating on social media.
In a statement on Monday, Edema described the allegation as false and challenged Dokubo-Asari to provide evidence supporting the claim.
“The allegation that the Olu of Warri receives N2.7 trillion annually from pipeline surveillance contracts is categorically rejected,” the statement said.
Edema said the claim had implications for the monarch’s reputation and the wider issue of pipeline surveillance, which he described as strategically important to the Nigerian state.
He called on the relevant government institutions to examine any concerns surrounding pipeline security arrangements through official records, including contracts, procurement processes, corporate documents, government approvals and performance reports.
“If there are concerns about a pipeline-security arrangement, the relevant contracts, procurement processes, corporate records, government approvals, performance reports and regulatory documents should be examined,” he said.
Edema added that where wrongdoing was alleged, the appropriate authorities should investigate and establish the facts.
He also cautioned against allowing politically charged allegations to take the place of evidence where no wrongdoing had been established.
The representative further challenged Dokubo-Asari to produce the documentary evidence on which the N2.7 trillion claim was based.
