Abuja: The House of Representatives has inaugurated an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged mismanagement of oil spill clean-up funds in the Niger Delta. Speaker of the House, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen, who inaugurated the committee, said the move aimed to uncover the root causes of the alleged mismanagement and ensure accountability in the use of funds meant for environmental remediation in the region.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Speaker, represented by the Chief Whip, Mr. Usman Kumo, tasked the committee with examining how the funds were utilised, assessing the competence of those appointed to manage the projects, and determining whether there was accountability throughout the process. ‘This investigation must uncover the factors responsible for the poor handling of the clean-up process,’ he stated.
Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Mismanagement of Oil Spill Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta, Mr. Okpolupm Etteh, described the assignment as a crucial step toward promoting accountability, transparency, and environmental justice for the region. He noted that despite significant allocations and several interventions, the Niger Delta continues to suffer severe environmental degradation and unfulfilled promises.
‘Our objectives are clear: we will investigate the utilisation 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. This committee is not on a quest for a witch-hunt, but we will not hesitate to ask tough questions to unravel the truth and uphold the integrity of our mission,’ Etteh explained.
He said the committee would conduct its work transparently, seek broad consultations, and carry out field visits to assess 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. 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,’ he stated.
Etteh emphasised that the assignment was both urgent and essential, warning that the Niger Delta could not endure another decade of unfulfilled promises.