Senator Allwell Onyesoh has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for repeatedly failing to appear before the Senate Committee investigating crude oil theft, describing the action as a threat to legislative oversight and accountability.
Speaking with journalists after a committee meeting, the Rivers East senator and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) expressed frustration over the absence of the NNPCL’s top management.
He said he had earlier walked out of the meeting in protest, accusing the company of consistently ignoring invitations from the National Assembly.
According to Onyesoh, the Senate is only carrying out its constitutional duty by seeking information and records from the state-owned oil company.
“We are simply asking for facts and records. That is our constitutional responsibility,” he said.
The lawmaker dismissed the corporation’s explanation that its officials were unavailable because of overseas engagements, insisting that public officials should prioritise addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
He also rejected suggestions that the NNPCL was above legislative oversight, stressing that no government agency should disregard invitations from the National Assembly.
Onyesoh said he would formally report the matter to the Senate leadership, adding that the repeated absence of NNPCL officials raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the oil sector.
The senator also lamented the poor state of development in oil-producing communities despite their contribution to the nation’s economy.
He called for greater investment in host communities and urged the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to disclose how many people from oil-producing states have benefited from its scholarship and training programmes.
He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting transparency, strengthening oversight and ensuring that communities producing Nigeria’s crude oil enjoy meaningful development and opportunities
