PAC threatens legislative action over failure of Seplat, Network E&P and others to honour invitations….
The Senate Public Accounts Committee has given four oil companies 48 hours to appear before it and respond to queries contained in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 audit reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
The affected companies are Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria Limited, All Grace Energy Limited and Aradel Energy Limited.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, warned that the companies could face legislative sanctions if they fail to comply with the directive.
The ultimatum followed concerns over the repeated absence of representatives of the companies from the committee’s proceedings despite invitations to address issues raised in the NEITI audit reports.
The matter came to a head after Senator Abdul Ningi called for sanctions against the companies, describing a letter from Network E&P Nigeria Limited to the committee as “disturbing and provocative.”
The company had reportedly argued that its primary accountability was to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, rather than the Senate committee.
Ningi rejected the position, stressing that the National Assembly has constitutional authority to summon individuals, companies and government agencies in the course of its investigations.
He cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to invite relevant persons or institutions to provide information and explanations on matters under investigation.
Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan, representing Borno Central, backed the call for sanctions, urging the committee to exercise its constitutional powers against the managements of companies that failed to honour its invitations.
Following the deliberations, the committee directed the Managing Director of Network E&P Nigeria Limited to appear before it on Thursday, warning that failure to comply would attract the full weight of the Senate’s legislative powers.
The same directive was issued to the Managing Directors of All Grace Energy Limited, Aradel Energy Limited and Seplat Energy after the committee noted their absence from the proceedings.
The companies are expected to use the 48-hour window to respond to the outstanding queries and clarify issues raised in the NEITI audit reports.
