The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, has condemned the repeated failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to honour invitations from the National Assembly, describing the development as a direct affront to the Senate’s constitutional oversight powers.
Speaking with journalists after a meeting of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) on Friday, Onyesoh accused the NNPCL leadership of consistently avoiding parliamentary scrutiny while the committee investigates crude oil theft and considers amendments to Nigeria’s petroleum laws.
The Rivers East senator, who earlier staged a walkout from the committee meeting in protest over the absence of the corporation’s top management, said the repeated refusal of NNPCL officials to appear before lawmakers undermines transparency, weakens legislative oversight and erodes public confidence.
“We are not contractors. We are simply asking questions. Give us facts. Give us records. We want to study them. That is our constitutional responsibility,” he said.
Onyesoh dismissed the corporation’s repeated explanation that its officials were on official foreign trips, describing the excuse as unconvincing and unacceptable.
“They keep writing letters saying they are travelling to Congo and other places just to dodge simple things. Was the GCEO appointed to keep travelling or to work? Is Nigeria’s problem outside the country or here in Nigeria?” he queried.
The senator insisted that no public institution is above the law, stressing that the National Assembly has the constitutional mandate to scrutinise the activities of all government agencies, including the NNPCL.
He also rejected claims that the corporation is accountable only to the Presidency, maintaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently demonstrated respect for the National Assembly and would not encourage any agency to disregard legislative invitations.
“I know Mr. President. That is not the President I know. He will not tell any agency to ignore the National Assembly. Whenever issues arise, he engages the legislature with respect,” Onyesoh said.
The lawmaker disclosed that he would formally engage the Senate leadership over what he described as the NNPCL’s habitual disregard for parliamentary invitations in order to strengthen legislative oversight and institutional accountability.
Beyond the issue of oversight, Onyesoh expressed concern over the continued neglect of oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta despite their contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
He recalled the history of Umuechem community in Rivers State, which suffered military brutality decades ago after demanding basic social amenities, lamenting that many oil-bearing communities still lack critical infrastructure, employment opportunities and meaningful participation in the petroleum industry.
The senator also called for greater transparency in the administration of petroleum intervention programmes, urging the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to publish records showing how many people from Rivers State and other oil-producing communities have benefited from its scholarship and capacity development initiatives.
He reaffirmed his commitment to representing the interests of the people of Rivers East Senatorial District, pledging to continue advocating accountability, transparency and equitable distribution of the benefits derived from the nation’s petroleum resources.
The committee meeting also examined proposed amendments to Nigeria’s petroleum laws, particularly outdated provisions relating to penalties and regulatory enforcement, as part of efforts to strengthen the sector, curb crude oil theft, improve regulatory efficiency and boost crude oil production.
