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…as committee promise transparency, accountability, justice for affected communities

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has set up an adhoc committee to investigate the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for oil spill clean-up projects in the Niger Delta, promising to uphold accountability and deliver justice to communities impacted by environmental pollution.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee on Friday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, the Chairman, Rep. Okpolupm Etteh, said the decision of the House to constitute the panel demonstrates its firm resolve to ensure environmental justice and proper stewardship of public funds.

Etteh, who described the assignment as a “significant national responsibility,” expressed gratitude to the leadership of the House for the trust placed in the committee members.

“This is not just another oversight task; it is a moral duty to the people of the Niger Delta who have endured years of neglect and environmental degradation,” he said.

He pledged that the committee would carry out its work with transparency, fairness, and diligence, ensuring that every kobo earmarked for oil spill remediation serves its intended purpose.

“Today, I stand before you with a profound sense of duty and dedication to our nation as the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Mismanagement of Oil Spill Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta is officially inaugurated,” Etteh stated.

“The establishment of this Committee by this Honourable House underscores our shared commitment to ensuring accountability, transparency, and environmental justice for the people of the Niger Delta,” he added.

Etteh lamented that despite several interventions and billions of naira allocated over the years for clean-up efforts, the Niger Delta continues to suffer severe environmental damage and economic hardship.

“The Niger Delta has faced years of environmental degradation and untold damage due to oil exploration and frequent spills. In response, various government agencies have been created or assigned the responsibility of conducting environmental remediation and clean-up operations,” he said.

“Unfortunately, troubling reports of alleged mismanagement, inefficiency, and poor coordination have overshadowed these initiatives. Funds allocated for clean-up efforts have not produced the anticipated outcomes, leaving communities still affected, livelihoods in jeopardy, and public trust diminished,” he lamented.

According to him, the committee’s mandate includes uncovering the truth behind the use of clean-up funds, evaluating the performance of government agencies, and recommending reforms for sustainable remediation.

“Our objectives are clear: we will investigate the utilization of funds designated for environmental remediation, review the actual execution of clean-up projects, identify deficiencies in the institutional framework, and engage with all relevant stakeholders, including host communities, experts, and civil society,” he explained.

Etteh assured that the probe would not be a witch-hunt but a sincere effort to restore accountability and deliver justice to the people of the Niger Delta.

“I want to emphasise that this Committee is not on a quest for a witch-hunt. However, we will not hesitate to ask tough questions to unravel the truth for posterity and to uphold the integrity of our mission,” he declared.

He said the committee would prioritize transparency and evidence-based investigation, adding that it plans to conduct field visits to ascertain the true state of clean-up projects across impacted communities.

“We will operate transparently, seek broad consultations, and conduct field visits to witness the situation firsthand. Agencies will be held accountable, community perspectives will be valued, and our conclusions will be based on factual evidence rather than emotions,” Etteh said.

He stressed that the committee’s ultimate goal is to “illuminate the truth and ensure that the Niger Delta receives the justice it rightfully deserves,” pledging professionalism, patriotism, and adherence to the rule of law throughout the investigation.

Rep. Etteh described the task before the committee as both urgent and essential, warning that the Niger Delta “cannot endure another decade of unfulfilled promises.”

“It is high time we transformed words into action. We, therefore, seek the cooperation of all stakeholders, government agencies, communities, civil society, and the media, to help us effectively achieve our mandate,” he said.

He assured that the committee would deliver “a comprehensive, honest, and impactful report” that would inform lasting solutions to the region’s environmental crisis.

Etteh also commended the leadership of the House for its foresight and support, reaffirming the committee’s readiness to work tirelessly in the interest of the Nigerian people.

In his remarks, Speaker TajudeenAbbas, who was represented by the Chief Whip, Rep. Usman Kumo, charged the adhoc committee to, among other things, determine the managerial competence of those entrusted with the clean-up funds.

He said it was important to find answers to critical questions bordering on the activities involved in the clean-up exercise.

He said: “We have to find out the capacity of the managers that were put in place by the government to manage the funds of the clean-up. Also, there is a need to understand the causes of the mismanagement.

“Similarly, we must equally understand what was involved in the entire funds dedicated for the clean-up, and finally, we must, as a Committee, find out whether there was accountability in the process of the management of the clean-up funds.

“If we can understand these, we can provide a solution. I’m convinced that the members here can be fair, just, and balanced in your report.”