The House of Representatives’ joint committee has summoned Mr Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to appear on May 8, 2024.
The summons is in relation to an investigation into environmental degradation caused by oil companies operating in oil-rich communities.
Hon Pondi Julius Gbabojor, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, issued the invitation during an investigative hearing.
In addition to Kyari, other oil company CEOs and relevant government agencies have also been summoned.
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Gbabojor stressed the seriousness of the matter, warning of sanctions for non-compliance.
The companies summoned include Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Total Energies, Oando Oil Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, and Seplat Energy.
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It also summoned government agencies including the Nigerian Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency, and the National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency.
The House stated that only four out of 35 invited entities attended the initial probe.
It added that the National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency provided an explanation for their absence.
Gbabojor said:
“We will write another letter to everybody. They should turn up to answer questions on issues pertaining to degradation of the environment due to the activities of oil companies.
“They have to be here on the 8th of May. If anybody fails to show up then we would now decide as a committee on what to do. I want to believe that there was enough time.
“Two letters were sent, there was ample time for them to see the letters and duly honour. But for putting on a human face, we would still give another time to do so.”
