Onyesoh Blasts NNPCL Over Repeated Snub of Senate, Defends Tinubu’s Respect for Legislature
The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, has strongly criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for repeatedly failing to honour invitations from the National Assembly, describing the development as a violation of the Senate’s constitutional oversight responsibilities.
Speaking with journalists after a meeting of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Onyesoh expressed concern over the continued absence of the NNPCL’s top management during critical legislative engagements. The committee is currently investigating crude oil theft and considering amendments to Nigeria’s petroleum laws to strengthen regulation and improve governance in the oil and gas sector.
The Rivers East lawmaker had earlier staged a walkout from the committee meeting in protest against what he described as the corporation’s habitual refusal to appear before lawmakers.
According to him, the committee is merely carrying out its constitutional mandate of oversight by seeking facts, records and explanations from the national oil company.
“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,” Onyesoh said.
He argued that the repeated absence of NNPCL officials undermines transparency, weakens legislative oversight and creates the impression that the corporation is unwilling to subject itself to public accountability.
The senator also dismissed the corporation’s repeated explanation that its officials were on official foreign trips whenever invitations were issued.
“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 maintained that no government institution is above legislative scrutiny, stressing that every public agency established by law remains accountable to the National Assembly.
Responding to suggestions that the NNPCL answers only to the Presidency, the senator insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently demonstrated respect for the National Assembly and would not direct any agency to disregard lawmakers.
“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,” he stated.
The lawmaker disclosed that he would formally engage the leadership of the Senate on what he described as the corporation’s persistent disregard for parliamentary invitations in order to strengthen legislative oversight and institutional accountability.
Onyesoh also highlighted the long-standing neglect of oil-producing communities, particularly in Rivers State and across the Niger Delta.
Drawing attention to the historical experience of Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area, one of Nigeria’s earliest oil-producing communities after Oloibiri, he recalled how residents suffered military brutality decades ago after demanding basic social amenities such as potable water, electricity and schools.
He lamented that despite the enormous wealth generated from oil exploration, many host communities remain underdeveloped, lacking critical infrastructure, employment opportunities and meaningful participation in the petroleum industry.
The senator questioned why employment, training opportunities and intervention programmes rarely benefit people from oil-producing communities.
He also challenged the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to publish records showing the number of beneficiaries from Rivers State and other oil-producing communities who have accessed its scholarship and capacity development programmes.
Reaffirming his commitment to the people of Rivers East Senatorial District, Onyesoh pledged to continue demanding transparency, accountability and equitable distribution of the benefits derived from Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
The Senate Committee meeting also examined proposed amendments to existing petroleum laws, including tougher penalties and stronger regulatory provisions aimed at combating crude oil theft, improving regulatory efficiency and increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production.
