Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Allwell Onyesoh, has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for repeatedly failing to honour invitations. These invitations came from the National Assembly regarding the NNPCL crude oil theft probe, which has raised significant concerns.
According to The Punch, Onyesoh spoke to journalists on Friday after a Senate committee meeting on crude oil theft. The meeting also discussed proposed amendments to Nigeria’s petroleum laws, particularly in relation to the NNPCL crude oil theft probe.
The Rivers East senator had earlier walked out of the meeting to protest the repeated absence of NNPCL’s senior management. This absence was from important legislative engagements linked to the ongoing NNPCL crude oil theft probe.
He said the company’s refusal to appear before the committee weakened transparency and obstructed legislative oversight. Moreover, it showed disrespect for democratic institutions.
Onyesoh explained that the committee only wanted the company to provide documents, records and explanations relating to its operations. The committee also wanted information about the fight against crude oil theft.
“We are not contractors. We are simply asking questions. Give us facts. Give us records. We want to study them. That is our constitutional responsibility,” he said.
The senator said the National Assembly had a constitutional duty to examine the activities of government agencies. This was especially important for a company responsible for managing Nigeria’s oil resources. Additionally, the NNPCL crude oil theft probe highlights the necessity of this oversight.
He also rejected NNPCL’s repeated explanation that its senior officials could not attend because they were travelling abroad. These trips were for official assignments.
“They keep writing letters saying they are travelling to Congo, travelling here and there, just to dodge simple things. Was the GCEO appointed to keep travelling or to work?
“Is Nigeria’s problem outside the country or here in Nigeria? How is it possible that the GCEO, his deputy, directors and the entire management are all travelling at the same time? That is not acceptable,” he said.
Onyesoh argued that NNPCL’s continued absence from Senate meetings had increased public suspicion about its willingness to submit to proper scrutiny.
“If you are serving the people of Nigeria, first and foremost, you must obey the laws of the land. The highest law-making body in the country invites you, and consistently, you are too big to appear. Who told you that?” he asked.
The lawmaker insisted that no public institution could place itself above legislative oversight.
He also rejected suggestions that NNPCL answered only to the Presidency. He said President Bola Tinubu had always shown respect for the National Assembly.
“I know Mr President. That is not the President I know. He will not tell any agency to ignore the National Assembly. We all work with Mr President. Whenever issues arise, he engages the legislature with respect,” Onyesoh said.
The senator said he would formally report the matter to the Senate leadership. He will also seek further action over NNPCL’s repeated failure to honour invitations.
He also expressed concern over the poor condition of oil-producing communities despite the enormous revenue generated from their land.
Onyesoh cited Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State as an example of an early oil-producing community. He noted that this community still lacks adequate infrastructure, employment opportunities and participation in the petroleum industry.
He questioned why residents of host communities rarely benefit from employment, training and development programmes in the oil sector.
The senator also asked the Petroleum Technology Development Fund to publish records. These records should show how many people from Rivers State and other oil-producing communities had benefited from its scholarships and capacity-building programmes.
He promised to continue demanding transparency, accountability and fair treatment for host communities.
Onyesoh said the wealth generated from oil-producing areas should provide meaningful development, employment and economic opportunities for residents.
The Senate committee also considered amendments to outdated provisions of Nigeria’s petroleum laws.
The proposed changes seek to strengthen penalties and regulatory enforcement, reduce crude oil theft, improve efficiency and increase the country’s oil production. Finally, these goals directly address findings from the NNPCL crude oil theft probe.
