The House of Representatives has commenced investigations into the alleged mismanagement of oil spill clean-up funds
The House of Representatives has inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to investigate alleged mismanagement of oil spill clean-up funds in the Niger Delta, vowing to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice for affected communities.
Speaking at the inauguration on Friday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, chairman of the committee, Rep. Okpolupm Etteh (PDP, Akwa Ibom), said the committee’s establishment underscores the House’s commitment to environmental justice and prudent use of public resources.
“Today, I stand before you with a profound sense of duty and dedication to our nation as the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Mismanagement of Oil Spill Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta is officially inaugurated,” Rep. Etteh stated.
He thanked the leadership of the House for the confidence reposed in him and described the assignment as “a significant national responsibility” aimed at correcting years of neglect and degradation in the region.
“The establishment of this committee underscores our shared commitment to ensuring accountability, transparency, and environmental justice for the people of the Niger Delta,” he added.
Etteh lamented that despite billions of naira expended on various clean-up interventions over the years, the region continues to suffer the consequences of oil pollution and economic hardship.
“The Niger Delta has faced years of environmental degradation due to oil exploration and frequent spills,” he said. “Unfortunately, reports of mismanagement, inefficiency, and poor coordination have overshadowed these initiatives. Funds allocated for clean-up efforts have not produced the anticipated outcomes, leaving communities still affected, livelihoods in jeopardy, and public trust diminished.”
According to him, the committee’s mandate is to unravel the truth behind the use of clean-up funds, assess the performance of implementing agencies, and propose reforms for sustainable remediation.
“Our objectives are clear: we will investigate the utilization of funds designated for environmental remediation, review the execution of clean-up projects, identify institutional deficiencies, and engage all relevant stakeholders — including host communities, experts, and civil society,” he explained.
Etteh assured that the probe would be guided by fairness, transparency, and evidence, stressing that it was not intended as a witch-hunt.
“This committee is not on a quest for a witch-hunt. However, we will not hesitate to ask tough questions to unravel the truth for posterity and to uphold the integrity of our mission,” he said.
He added that members would embark on field visits to assess the state of clean-up projects across impacted communities.
“We will operate transparently, seek broad consultations, and conduct field visits to witness the situation firsthand. Agencies will be held accountable, community perspectives will be valued, and our conclusions will be based on factual evidence rather than emotions,” Rep. Etteh emphasized.
He described the assignment as urgent and essential, warning that the Niger Delta “cannot endure another decade of unfulfilled promises.”
“It is high time we transformed words into action. We seek the cooperation of all stakeholders, government agencies, communities, civil society, and the media to effectively achieve our mandate,” he said.
Etteh pledged that the committee would deliver “a comprehensive, honest, and impactful report” that would guide sustainable solutions to the region’s environmental crisis.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, represented by the Chief Whip, Rep. Usman Kumo (APC Gombe), tasked the committee to determine the managerial competence of those entrusted with the clean-up funds and identify the causes of their alleged mismanagement.
“We have to find out the capacity of the managers that were put in place by the government to manage the funds of the clean-up. Also, there is a need to understand the causes of the mismanagement,” Kumo said.
He added, “We must equally understand what was involved in the entire funds dedicated for the clean-up, and finally, we must find out whether there was accountability in the process of managing the clean-up funds. If we can understand these, we can provide a solution.”
Kumo expressed confidence that the committee would carry out its assignment “fairly, justly, and with balance.”
