The House of Senate has on Wednesday ordered the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa to appear before a committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Current Situation
The senate committee ordered the duo to appear before the lawmakers on the 12th of April 2022 or face a possible arrest, as it has four weeks to present a comprehensive report.
What happened
Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Effiong Akwa has failed to respond to many invites from a senate committee to answer questions relating to the non-payment of N2.2 billion contract to seven contractors, an unpaid N6.25 billion contract and a N2.5 billion racketeering scandal. These non-payments have resulted in a series of protests by the contractors. The contractors are under the aegis of the Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association.
Why it matters
Nigeria’s oil sector has come under public scrutiny as recent happenings suggest a firmer handling of its affairs by the appropriate officials. Top of these issues is the 193 million barrels of oil lost to thieves in 2021. President Muhammadu Buhari and other federal authorities have called on officials at the three tiers of government and all Nigerians to challenge these issues hindering the growth of Nigeria’s oil sector.