The Home of Representatives has commenced an investigation into the administration of funds allotted for oil spill clean-up initiatives within the Niger Delta area.
The transfer follows rising issues that regardless of billions of naira spent through the years, oil-producing communities proceed to endure environmental air pollution, lack of livelihoods, and financial hardship.
Talking on the inauguration of an advert hoc committee to probe the alleged mismanagement of the clean-up funds on Friday, the committee chairman, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, stated the train displays the Home’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and environmental justice.
Etteh described the probe as a “vital nationwide accountability,” noting that the initiative goals to uncover why enormous allocations meant to revive the Niger Delta atmosphere have did not yield significant outcomes.
“The Niger Delta has confronted years of environmental degradation and untold hardship as a result of oil exploration and frequent spills. In response, numerous authorities businesses have been established to deal with environmental remediation and clean-up operations,” he stated.
“Sadly, reviews of mismanagement, inefficiency, and poor coordination have overshadowed these interventions. Funds allotted for clean-up efforts haven’t achieved the specified affect, leaving affected communities in despair and public confidence eroded.”
He defined that the committee’s mandate contains investigating using the clean-up funds, assessing the efficiency of related authorities businesses, and recommending reforms for sustainable remediation.
“Our goals are clear: to look at the utilization of funds designated for environmental remediation, consider the execution of clean-up initiatives, determine institutional lapses, and have interaction all related stakeholders, together with host communities, consultants, and civil society teams,” he added.
Etteh assured that the probe can be performed with equity and transparency, emphasizing that the committee plans to undertake subject visits to confirm the state of clean-up initiatives throughout impacted communities.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Kumo, tasked the committee to find out the competence of these entrusted with managing the clean-up funds.
He stated the investigation ought to present readability on the causes of mismanagement and guarantee accountability within the course of.
“We have now to look at the capability of these managing the clean-up funds and perceive the causes of the lapses. It’s also necessary to ascertain whether or not accountability was maintained within the administration of the assets,” the Speaker stated.
He expressed confidence that the committee would perform its work with equity and integrity and ship suggestions able to guaranteeing lasting environmental remediation within the Niger Delta.
