•House of Representatives
The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for the clean-up of oil spillage in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the ad hoc committee set up by the House to carry out the investigation, the chairman of the committee, Okpolupm Etteh, said the Niger Delta has faced years of environmental degradation and untold damage due to oil exploration and frequent spills.
He said the establishment of the Committee by this House underscores the shared commitment to ensuring accountability, transparency, and environmental justice for the people of the Niger Delta, reports The Nation.
According to him, the Niger Delta has faced years of environmental degradation and untold damage due to oil exploration and frequent spills, while various government agencies have been created or assigned the responsibility of conducting environmental remediation and clean-up operations.
He said, “Unfortunately, troubling reports of alleged mismanagement, inefficiency, and poor coordination have overshadowed these initiatives.
“Similarly, this House has also received reports that Funds allocated for clean-up efforts have not produced the anticipated outcomes, leaving communities still affected, livelihoods in jeopardy, and public trust diminished.
“Our committee has been assigned the critical task of uncovering the truth, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and proposing reforms for sustainable solutions.
“Our objectives are clear. We will investigate the utilization of funds designated for environmental remediation, review the actual execution of clean-up projects, identify deficiencies in the institutional framework, and engage with all relevant stakeholders, including host communities, experts, and civil society. Most importantly, we will recommend specific actions to enhance performance and rebuild public trust.”
He emphasised that the committee is not on a quest for a witch-hunt, but will not hesitate to ask tough questions to unravel the truth for posterity and to uphold the integrity of our mission.
He said, “We will operate transparently, seek broad consultations, and conduct field visits to witness the situation first-hand. Agencies will be held accountable, community perspectives will be valued, and our conclusions will be based on factual evidence rather than emotions.
“Our aim is to illuminate the truth and ensure that the Niger Delta receives the justice it rightfully deserves. We will conduct our work with professionalism, patriotism, and a strong respect for the rule of law.
“The task ahead is both urgent and essential. The Niger Delta cannot endure another decade of unfulfilled promises. It is high time we transformed words into action. We, therefore, seek the cooperation of all stakeholders—government agencies, communities, civil society, and the media—to help us effectively achieve our mandate.”
