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NEITI, EFCC Join Forces to Recover $72bn from Oil Sector

Published

1 month ago

January 28, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said it is in a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover a total sum of $72 billion owed to the Federal Government by oil industry stakeholders.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, disclosed this during the agency’s 2025 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) on Monday in Abuja.

He stated that NEITI, which was established to promote transparency in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining sectors, had been allocated a budget of N6.5 billion for 2025, covering personnel, overhead, and capital projects.

Dr. Orji highlighted key projects for 2025, including audits of the oil, gas, and mining sectors, research on fuel consumption, energy transition impacts, and a perception survey on EITI implementation. He noted that NEITI had previously recovered $3.7 billion in outstanding liabilities for the government from its 2020 and 2021 reports.

However, members of the House Committee criticized the agency for budgetary inconsistencies, including repeated line items and unjustifiable expenses.

Rep. Kafilat Ogbara questioned a proposed N32 million allocation for meals in 2025, and called for alignment with Nigeria’s economic realities.

Similarly, Rep. Ademorin Kuye urged government agencies to adopt prudent budgeting practices, emphasizing the public perception that the National Assembly merely approves all requests from agencies without scrutiny.

The committee called for greater fiscal discipline and accountability in government spending to reflect the nation’s economic challenges.

The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, expressed dissatisfaction with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s (NEITI) 2025 budget presentation.

He faulted the language used in the budget’s preparation and raised concerns about the inclusion of the National Assembly as beneficiaries of the agency’s welfare package.

Doguwa questioned the rationale behind such allocations, and noted that the committee has not conducted any oversight visits to the agency since its constitution, and emphasised that the only welfare the House expects from NEITI is one that prioritizes the well-being of the Nigerian people, not personal benefits.

He said: While I agree that the budget stops at our desk and you are just presenting a proposal, I will like to say that the economy is actually bad, the population of people for whom we are actually here are crying out. Agencies of government must be mindful of what they spend out of public resources.

“All these proposals are going to be spend at the expense of the Nigerian people. Sometimes, we come to make presentations here that sounds funny and very insultive in the eyes of the people. When you say in your projection things like welfare package inform of ex-gracia, health insurance, welfare packages to staff and some critical stakeholders during welfare packages”.

Doguwa however reiterated the Committee’s readiness to support the agency in actualising its mandate, and said “your agency is a critical one and the legislature unappreciative of the work that you are doing.

“We will definitely try as much as possible to support you as long as you can justify the reasons for one expenditure or the other. Then the legislature will have no option than to support you and provide you with the enabling financial environment for you to discharge your duties and mandate.”

Related Topics:chairman Economy Nigeria Nigerian Stakeholders

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Reps Invite Executive Secretary FCDA, Director Development Control

Published

40 minutes ago

March 5, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda and Director, Development Control, Galadima Muktar to appear before on Tuesday 11th March, 2025.

They are expected to explain why the development of a controversial property is proceeding despite clear violations of the Federal Capital Territory’s building regulations.

In a petition to the House demanding urgent intervention, a private citizen, Samuel Ajayi, argued that allowing the construction to continue would undermine the meticulous planning that shaped the FCT. The property in question is reportedly located in the Guzape Cadastral Zone.

Responding to the petition, the Committee Chairman, Mike Etaba, directed the Executive Secretary of the FCDA and the Director of Development Control to promptly address the issue.

He said: “At this point, it is a complaint until we establish the facts therein. Every Nigerian’s voice must be heard while all public officers must be made accountable. We shall ensure fair hearing for all the parties”.

Meanwhile, the Committee has directed the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to appear in person on Tuesday 11th March, 2025, to clarify the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the Okpai shoreline protection and landing jetty project in Delta State.

This follows a petition submitted by Lynpat Solicitors against Orbit Marine and Energy Services Ltd for failing to complete the project.

“NDDC holds the key to this case and the MD must come in person to clear the air. If he fails as he had done before, we’ll take further actions against them”, Etaba stated.

News

Reps Direct Cleaup Of Oil Spill, Fire Incident In Buguma

Published

58 minutes ago

March 5, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives, Committee on Environment has directed for the commencement of the clean up of impacted communities by an oil spill and fire incident at Well 8, Buguma, Degema local government area of Rivers State.

This resolution wws sequel to a hearing over a petition against activities of the NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited on Wednesday in Abuja.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Pondi Julius Gbabojor, directed the NNPCL and NEOL to immediately provide an urgent intervention by supplying relief materials to the affected communities.

The Committee also granted the request for a three-week extension to NNPCL and NEOL, for a fair hearing and the right of reply on the engagement .

Gbabojor said, “As you may be aware, this Hearing is convened by the Committee on Environment, to address a Formal Complaint against NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL) regarding the Spill and Fire Incident at Well 8, Buguma, Degema LGA Rivers State, filed by Messrs Anosike Egbuchiwe & Associates, Legal Practitioners on behalf of the Friends of Eco Life and the affected communities.

“A gas leak was reported on 1st December 2024, at OML 18, Well 8, Buguma, Degema LGA, Rivers State. Thereafter, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), comprising the NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd, NOSDRA, NUPRC, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, and the representatives of Buguma community visited the site on 6th December 2024, during which certain directives were issued to the Operator to forestall further escalation”

“Consequently, the incident has resulted in air pollution and_ significant contamination of bodies of water and farmland, leading to the loss of biodiversity and marine habitats, thereby exposing both Indigenous people and residents of Buguma and its environs to grave health risks and environmental hazards.

“The devastation occasioned by this incident can only be imagined. The affected communities have been languishing in squalor, considering that for over three months, economic activities centered around farming and fishing have come to an abrupt halt, with no access to safe drinking water, medical care, or the basic necessities of life.

“In response to our invitation to today’s Hearing, the NNPCL in a letter dated 4′” March 2025, conveyed their inability to attend today’s engagement and sought an extension for three weeks, to enable them to provide necessary information and appear accordingly.

It was gathered that the NNPCL had already embarked on the directive to commence the process of remediation, following the clean-up of the impacted communities, by sending relief materials to ameliorate the situation.

News

Lenten Season: Deputy Speaker Urges Christians To Pray for Nigeria, Forgive One Another

Published

1 hour ago

March 5, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has called on Christians to forgive one another and pray for Nigeria during the Lenten season.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kalu urged Christians to use the period of Lent to reflect on their relationship with God and with one another.

The Lenten period, which spans 40 days leading up to Easter is a sacred time for spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal, commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness, fasting and praying before the beginning of His earthly ministry.

Kalu encouraged Christians to emulate the example of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind by engaging in prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, seeking to deepen their faith, confront their weaknesses, and become changed people.

He said that by observing Lent, Christians reaffirm their commitment to their faith, seek forgiveness for past wrongs, and prepare to celebrate the joy and hope of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.

“As we observe Lent, I urge all Christians to pray fervently for our dear nation, Nigeria. We must seek divine guidance and intervention in addressing the challenges we face as a nation.

“We are also called as Christians to forgive one another just as God has forgiven us through death of Jesus Christ. Let us use this period to let go of grudges and seek reconciliation with one another.

“As we pray, fast, and give alms to the needy, let us also seek to deepen our relationship with God and with one another,” Kalu said.

The Deputy Speaker wished all Christians a successful Lenten season.