$30m Debt: Reps summon Agip, NNPC to appear before committee

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The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Nigeria Content Development Management Board (NCDMB), DE COON Services Limited alongside other JV Partners have been scheduled to appear before the House Committee on Petroleum upstream next week.

The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Musa Adar, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, at the weekend. It will be recalled that DE COON Services Limited had petitioned the House, accusing Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) of refusing to pay over $30m and N70m accrued outstanding bills for engineering jobs executed in a contract it won via tender for the company since 2014, amongst other infractions that are inimical to the terms contained in the contract.

The committee had on July 29, 2020 summoned NAOC, NNPC and Oando, (the other JV partners) to appear on Wednesday August 12th to explain the discrepancies and their roles in the allegations, however,  NCDMB who was named in the petition had honoured the committee’s invitation for Wednesday 12th August, and its officers were present at the hearing. But NNPC, Agip Oil Company among others failed to show up.

Rep. Adar assured that the committee will not relent in its effort in ensuring that justice prevails. “Agip had refused attending the hearing citing fears over the COVID-19 pandemic. “NAOC had indicated willingness to appear online and make submissions on the accusations, but he expressed dissatisfaction with that because the lockdown has been lifted, Agip Oil & gas production has been going on and even the House has been sitting daily since”, he said

Rep. Adar Sarkin noted that the few weeks grace given the companies involved was just to ensure all parties are present at the next adjourned date to ensure fair hearing hence the need for them to show appearance otherwise the investigation will go on as planned.

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