The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly and yield benefits for all citizens.
During a session of the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the administration of oil spill remediation funds in the Niger Delta, held on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen emphasized this stance.
Speaking through the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe), Abbas highlighted the necessity for enhanced collaboration between federal bodies and local community organizations. This partnership is crucial to guarantee that clean-up initiatives generate real advantages such as employment opportunities, improved living standards, and ecological restoration.
“Our legislative body is dedicated not only to overseeing the allocation of public funds but also to ensuring their efficient use for the collective good,” he remarked.
“This inquiry is designed to clarify who is responsible for managing these funds, how they are utilized, which communities benefit, and whether transparency and accountability have been upheld throughout the process.”
“We urge all relevant agencies to present themselves before this committee with comprehensive data and documentation to enable us to make informed, equitable, and just recommendations.”
“The House remains steadfast in its legislative oversight role to guarantee that the objectives of the oil spill clean-up are met with openness and effectiveness,” he concluded.
Committee Chair Hon. Okpolupm Etteh echoed this resolve, underscoring the panel’s dedication to promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in the management of funds allocated for environmental restoration in the Niger Delta.
He explained that the investigation seeks to reveal the truth regarding the deployment of resources assigned to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and other related efforts, ensuring that impacted communities receive the support and compensation they rightfully deserve.
“The House has charged this committee with the task of scrutinizing the handling of oil spill clean-up finances. Our mission is straightforward – to uncover the facts.”
“We will examine every aspect of project execution, procurement procedures, capacity-building initiatives, intelligence sharing, and the actual delivery of environmental recovery and compensation to Niger Delta residents.”
“Should our oversight uncover any discrepancies, delays, or misconduct, the committee will promptly identify those accountable and propose necessary corrective actions. Our priority is to ensure that funds dedicated to environmental rehabilitation are effectively utilized for the communities most affected,” Etteh stated.
He also called on all government agencies and institutions involved in the oil spill remediation efforts to cooperate fully by providing timely access to all pertinent information and records.
“This includes entities such as the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Federal Ministry of Finance, among others,” he added.
