RIVERS SENATOR FAULTS NNPCL OVER REPEATED ABSENCE FROM CRUDE THEFT PROBE

A senator representing Rivers State has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for repeatedly failing to honour invitations to appear before a Senate committee investigating crude oil theft in the country.
The lawmaker expressed concern that the company’s continued absence is hindering the National Assembly’s efforts to carry out effective oversight and address the persistent challenge of oil theft, which has significantly impacted Nigeria’s economy.
According to the senator, the repeated failure of NNPCL officials to attend the investigative sessions raises questions about transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s oil resources.
The Senate committee is probing the scale of crude oil theft, its impact on government revenue, and the effectiveness of measures put in place to curb the illegal activity across oil-producing regions.
The lawmaker stressed that all relevant agencies and stakeholders have a responsibility to cooperate with the investigation, noting that legislative oversight is essential to strengthening governance in the petroleum sector.
He warned that continued non-compliance with Senate invitations could undermine efforts to identify the root causes of crude oil theft and recommend lasting solutions to the problem.
The committee is expected to continue its investigation as lawmakers seek greater accountability and stronger collaboration from all institutions involved in safeguarding Nigeria’s oil assets.