Nation
N6trn Oil Revenue: Reps Threaten To Arrest Seven CEOs
The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee, investigating oil and gas revenue leakages in Nigeria – which is estimated to be about N6trillion – has threatened to arrest seven Chief Executive Officers, CEOs of indigenous oil and gas companies over their refusal or inability to appear before it.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who disclosed this at the end of the committee’s sitting in Lagos, thundered that the companies have not shown respect to the Committee, and, by extension, the Federal Government of Nigeria, on whose behalf the committee was acting.
Jarigbe disclosed that the companies must be compelled to appear as they collectively owe the government of Nigeria about $400 million – about N144billion at current exchange rate of $1 to N360).
The CEOs of the affected companies, some of them, members of the Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS, of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) could not be reached as at the time of going to press. In fact, their names are being withheld because of this challenge.
But the Chairman of OPTS, who is also the Country Chair/Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, urged the Committee to engage with all stakeholders in order to resolve outstanding issues before writing its report.
Mrs Gladys Folashede Odunuga, Head Planning Division, DPR also said the Department was committed to ensuring that operating companies pay their debts to the government.
The committee sitting held at the DPR Office in Lagos last week. Relatedly, Hon. Ehiozuwa John Agbonayinma, a member of the Committee said, whereas the nation’s oil and gas industry was in need of local and foreign investors to explore and produce commercial crude oil and gas, it is imperative that such investors should be ready to operate under terms and conditions put in place by the government.
One of the companies, currently in a joint venture with NPDC (Nigerian Petroleum Development Company) has two Nigerians as chairman and Chief Executive Officer, produces 10,000 barrels per day, BPD; was acquired from SPDC (Shell Petroleum Development Company) in November 2011 as a result of the Local Content Act signed into law in April 2010.
Another firm has a Nigerian as Executive Chairman/CEO and it operates two OMLs. Yet, another one, which has oil and gas interests in West African nations, including Nigeria, has both its chairman and chief CEO as Nigerians.
One of the firms in question also operates as an oil exploration and production company, in collaboration with a Canadian outfit and has been operating an OML which it won in 2003
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
-
Business4 days agoCBN Revises Cash Withdrawal Rules January 2026, Ends Special Authorisation
-
Business4 days ago
Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports
-
Business4 days agoFIRS Clarifies New Tax Laws, Debunks Levy Misconceptions
-
Business4 days agoNigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN
-
Sports3 days ago
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
-
Politics4 days agoTinubu Increases Ambassador-nominees to 65, Seeks Senate’s Confirmation
-
Business4 days ago
NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace
-
Sports3 days agoFOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa