The Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced an investigation into allegations that some international oil companies have failed to remit statutory contributions to the commission as required by law.
The committee opened the probe on Friday following a petition submitted by an environmental activist, Mathew Echo, who alleged that Aiteo Exploration and Production Company Limited, (now known as Nembe Exploration and Production Company Limited), owes the NDDC outstanding statutory remittances amounting to $71.65 million and N30.7 billion from 2021 to date.
During the hearing, the committee chairman, Asuquo Ekpenyong, assured stakeholders that the lawmakers would thoroughly investigate the allegations and engage all parties involved.
Mr Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District, subsequently directed Aiteo Exploration and Production Company Limited to appear before the committee at its next sitting, scheduled to hold within two weeks.
He also directed the NDDC to submit a comprehensive list of oil companies that have failed to remit their statutory contributions to the commission, alongside details of efforts made to recover the outstanding funds.
