By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has summoned AGIP Oil Company to appear before it on June 26, 2024 over an alleged N80 million owed to De Cooon Services Ltd, an indigenous company.
The House Committee on Public Petition expressed displeasure over non-payment and non-appearance of AGIP Oil at its investigative hearing on Thursday, in Abuja.
Naijablitznews.com reports that ‘De Coon Services Ltd.’ is an indigenous company, owned by Prof. Nelson Onubogu, who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company.
The committee said that not paying an indigenous company for a job well done and patronizing foreigners for the same job was unfortunate; adding that this act was capable of frustrating indigenous contractors.
A member of the committee, Rep. Matthew Mogu, said that the non-appearance of AGIP was disrespectful.
He said: “It’s unfortunate that people who are supposed to be accountable to Nigerians are not.
“When a committee like this is mandated by the constitution to handle issues concerning the lives of Nigerians, it summons an organization, but the refusal should call for worry.
“I don’t know who is protecting who, but no one is above the law; the only people who have immunity are the governor and president”.
Prof. Onubogu, in response, said that the invitation was well advertised in the media and, that AGIP deliberately shunned the public hearing.
According to him, this matter started more than five years ago, especially a situation where a Nigerian company is being strangled by an Italian firm was unfortunate.
He said: “They owe my company over 80 million dollars paid by NNPCL. The NNPCL has paid the money, but it was diverted out of Nigeria.
“AGIP Oil Company used some cronies to take this money out of Nigeria, and they refused to pay the Nigerian company.
“AGIP took all my cancelled contracts and gave them to my own staff while they were working for me.
“All I am saying here is that AGIP should pay my money; AGIP should be mandated by the NNPCL to pay my money”.
He, however, said that he would not settle for anything other than to get his full money.
“I don’t believe in middle ground; the right thing should be done; they are owing me, and they should pay my money and restore all my contracts as awarded to me.
“There are rules and regulations for terminating and awarding contracts in Nigeria”, he added.
Onubogu however said he was ready for a peaceful resolution of the impasse, provided AGIP obeyed, and that no one could tell him to forgo his money, as he believed that justice must be done in the matter.