Gloria Essien, Abuja
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Mismanagement of Oil Spill Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta has held a public hearing with relevant stakeholders.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, who declared the hearing open, said that it became necessary to meet with stakeholders to address the issues surrounding Ogoni clean-up funds.
He said that the hearing would address issues in accountability challenges that affected the cleanup.
Represented by the House Chief Whip, Mr. Usman Kumo, the Speaker pointed out the need to thoroughly investigate the causes of mismanagement surrounding funds allocated for clean-up projects in the Niger Delta.
He said that the investigation must uncover the factors responsible for the poor handling of the clean-up process.
The Speaker urged the committee to examine how the funds were utilised, assess the competence of those appointed to manage the projects, and determine whether there was accountability in the entire process.
The Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Mismanagement of Oil Spill Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta, Mr. Okpolupm Etteh, urged stakeholders to furnish the committee with details of transactions and other relevant bank documents.
“The House has mandated this Committee to investigate the allocation, release, disbursement, and utilisation of funds designated for oil spill remediation in the Niger Delta.
“Our goal is clear: to uncover the truth. We will scrutinize project implementation, procurement integrity, payment processes, inter-agency coordination, and the delivery of promised remediation and restitution to affected communities.
“Specifically, we will verify whether funds were disbursed and received as reported; whether payments are backed by valid contracts, invoices, and independent acceptance certificates; whether procurement and payment processes adhered to legal and best-practice standards; whether monitoring and laboratory verification confirm the claimed remediation outcomes.
“Where gaps, delays, or irregularities are found, we will identify those responsible and recommend corrective measures.
“This hearing is public, and all proceedings will be recorded. Witnesses are required to provide truthful testimony; deliberate falsehood or obstruction violates the House’s standing rules. When claiming payments were made or work was completed, witnesses must present complete primary evidence,” Mr. Etteh said.
He emphasised that “this is not a political exercise or a witch hunt. It is a rigorous, evidence-driven inquiry to restore accountability, recover misapplied public funds, address institutional failures, and deliver meaningful remediation to Niger Delta communities, including the Ogoni people. At the conclusion of this investigation, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the House for decisive action.”
Stakeholders at the hearing, including traditional rulers from the host communities, made presentations.
A representative of TOTAL Nigeria said that NNPC, OANDO, and RENAISSANCE had paid nine hundred million dollars for the clean up.
The Chairman of the committee and members requested more clarification on the funds and gave the officials till Wednesday next week to put their houses in order.