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NASS Committee Threatens IOCs With Arrests
The tripartite Committees investigating the implementation of corporate social responsibility by multinational oil companies and other corporate bodies in the South-South Region of the country have threatened to issue warrant of arrests on the headship of the companies that failed to honour their summons.
The chairman of the tripartite committees Hon Professor Obiageli Lilian Orogbu frowned at the failure of some major oil companies to attend the investigative hearing which held at the National Assembly complex Wednesday.
Professor Orogbu warned that she and her co-chairmen as well as the entire members of the committees would not hesitate to deal with any organization that failed to respect the assignment investigative panel.
“The House has asked us to carry out this exercise based on quantum of petitions from host communities against most of you and we will not take kindly with any organizations that decide to undermine this assignment” Professor Orogbu stressed.
Professor Orogbu who had in her opening remarks emphasized that the essence of the investigative hearing was borne out of genuine intention of the parliament to see that corporate bodies operating in Nigeria keep to the best practices of corporate and environmental behaviours within their host communities acknowledged that “reports at the disposal of the parliament showed that a lot of you are lagging behind in this regard”.
“We want to see a change and also ensure that what you do as corporate social responsibility to your hosts are commensurate with the level of businesses you do. Some of you observe corporate social responsibility in other countries you operate but you fail to do same here because nobody cares.
“We want a new Nigeria and we need you to work together with the government to rebuild this country. I know that some of you are doing quite well but there are many of you that are not responsible enough “. The chairman further stressed.
Members were also not happy that only Chevron was the international oil major that honoured the invitation though all the companies that attended the hearing didn’t come with the evidences of what they had done for their host communities and for that reason, the meeting was rescheduled for another date which will be communicated to them by the secretariat.
The committees involved in the investigative hearing are the Corporate Social Responsibility, NigerDelta Development Commission and that of Host Communities.
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has appointed 168 political aides, saying that the move was to “strengthen” the government machinery.
The Governor’s Media Adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, in a statement Tuesday morning, said that the appointments are spread across principal special assistants, senior special assistants, special assistants, and personal assistants.
Five of the appointees are principal special assistants on political and community relations, one principal special assistant on pension matters, 60 are special assistants on political and community relations, one senior special assistant on labour matters, 38 special assistants on political and community relations, and 63 personal assistants (PA) on political and community relations.
Gidado said that the appointments are part of the Governor’s ongoing efforts to ensure greater inclusion, enhance service delivery, and foster a government that reflects the diverse interests and aspirations of the people of Bauchi State.
“The newly appointed aides, who are largely former political office holders at the national, state, and local government levels, were selected based on merit, proven experience, and political background, as well as leadership capabilities, and are expected to inject fresh energy into the administration and support the Governor’s vision of a more responsive and effective government.
“Governor Bala Mohammed congratulates the appointees and urges them to see their appointments as a call to greater service. He emphasizes the need for dedication, loyalty, and a people-centered approach to governance as the administration intensifies efforts to deliver more democratic dividends to the good people of Bauchi State,” he said.
According to Gidado, Mohammed is confident that with the new appointments, the administration would be better positioned to consolidate on its achievements and build a legacy of good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
By Gloria Ikibah
Communities in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, are beginning to see visible signs of change as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu recently launched a series of public infrastructure projects.
The initiative, which began on Friday, took Kalu across three key wards Bende, Itumbauzo, and Uzuakoli, where he formally opened a number of completed facilities. These include blocks of classrooms, administrative offices, rehabilitated roads, and new boreholes.
Bende Constituency, one of the largest in the country with 13 wards, has long grappled with infrastructure gaps. The newly delivered projects are seen as part of a broader effort to close those gaps and raise the standard of living in the area.
Residents say the projects are already making a difference in both school attendance and ease of movement between villages. Many hope this momentum continues in the months ahead.
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