…summon MD of NUPRC, NMDPRA
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has inaugurated an Adhoc Committee to investigate compliance with decommissioning and abandonment regulations across Nigeria’s petroleum industry. 
Speaking at the ceremony, the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, said the probe had become necessary to ensure strict adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which affects environmental protection, host community welfare, and lifecycle management of oil and gas assets.
According to him, the exercise carries significant consequences for communities living around oilfields, the health of the nation’s ecosystems, and the standing of regulatory bodies.
The committee will examine decommissioning strategies submitted by operators, verify how closely they follow legal requirements, and determine whether companies have set aside sufficient funds to avert environmental damage or operational risks in the years ahead.
“This work demands close attention to detail, strong knowledge of the relevant laws, and independence of judgment,” he stated.
Abbas reiterated the support of parliament and urged all to cooperate fully with the committee in carrying out its responsibilities.
During the inauguration of the investigative hearing, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bassey Akiba Ekpenyong issued a summons to the Managing Directors of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for failure of their representatives to provide essential documents requested by the committee.
The committee also directed both Managing Directors to appear before it on Wednesday, but said that if they are unable to attend in person, they must formally delegate competent representatives with full authority to speak and submit required documentation.
Ekpenyong described the assignment as a matter of national importance, as he emphasised that abandoned or poorly decommissioned oil and gas facilities, many far beyond their design life pose serious risks, including environmental degradation, economic loss, community conflict, and safety hazards.
He stressed that the PIA established clear obligations for responsible asset stewardship, lifecycle planning, decommissioning fund contribution, safe facility retirement, and environmental remediation.
He further disclosed that the committee would engage with NUPRC and NMDPRA as primary regulators, as well as operators, licensees, host communities, environmental and safety experts, civil society, academia, and financial specialists handling decommissioning funds.
“Our approach will be fair, professional, evidence-driven, and transparent. This is not an adversarial inquiry—it is a national responsibility to protect our environment, safeguard our economy, and uphold the rule of law in line with the PIA,” he said.
The Chairman assured that the committee understands the expectations of Nigerians and is committed to delivering on its mandate.
