Senator Onyesoh Critiques NNPCL's Absence in Oil Probe

On Friday, Rivers Senator Allwell Onyebuchi Onyesoh, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its repeated failure to honor invitations from the National Assembly regarding a probe into crude oil theft. He described this absence as a setback for legislative oversight in the fight against oil theft.

During a meeting with journalists, Onyesoh emphasized the need for the Senate to amend Nigeria's petroleum laws to strengthen the regulatory framework governing the oil and gas sector. He expressed concern over the lack of accountability from NNPCL, stating that the company’s repeated excuses for non-appearance undermine transparency and reflect a disregard for democratic institutions.

Onyesoh also highlighted the historical underdevelopment of oil-producing communities in Rivers State, despite their wealth in petroleum resources, and called for greater accountability and equitable treatment for these communities.