Senate Criticizes NNPCL for Ignoring Crude Oil Theft Probe

The Nigerian Senate has condemned the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its consistent failure to honor invitations to appear before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) regarding an investigation into crude oil theft. During a session on Thursday, Vice Chairman Allwell Heacho Onyesoh expressed frustration over NNPCL's absence, which he described as an affront to the constitutional oversight powers of the National Assembly.

The committee had invited NNPCL to provide explanations and documentary evidence concerning issues affecting Nigeria's oil industry. Onyesoh criticized the company's leadership for claiming to be unavailable due to travels abroad, stating that such excuses undermine public trust.

He emphasized that every government agency must respect the National Assembly's scrutiny. The committee also raised concerns about the impoverished state of oil-producing communities, calling for greater economic benefits and accountability from the petroleum sector.