ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY INDICTS OIL COMPANY OPERATING IN OGBARU LGA

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

The Anambra state House of Assembly has expressed worry over what it calls unwholesome practices by a company exploring crude oil and gas at Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

To this end, it has called on the executive arm of government to formally forward a petition to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission outlining the company’s non- compliance with various aspects of the Petroleum Industry Act.

This followed a report submitted by the Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, which was presented on the floor of the House during plenary.

The Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme, while presenting the report on behalf of the committee, said the law makers during an oversight visit, expressed deep concern over the detrimental impacts of crude oil exploration and theft in Ogwuikpele Community by the company operating in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

The Committee, which was led by its Chairman Mr. Chidi Emeka representing Njikoka constituency 1, noted that part of the areas the executive arm would demand insight into included crude oil production, exportation, hydrocarbon tax, royalty payment, establishment of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund, and penalties for gas flaring.

They also called on the the executive arm of government to demand details on the daily quantity of crude oil produced, the mode of transportation, and the exportation process.

It also recommended that the government should take necessary legal actions to ensure justice is served, and the Ogwuikpele Community be made to receive proper compensation for the impacts caused by operations of the oil company.

The lawmakers also called on the Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue and the Ministry of Land and Survey to issue the company with all outstanding state levies and statutory bills since 2000 to fulfill its financial obligations to the state government.

They also want the authorities to calculate the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes for all contractors and subcontractors, ensuring compliance with tax regulations and fair contributions to the local economy.

The Committee on Petroleum called on the Federal, State and Local Governments to partner the exploring company to immediately provide infrastructure to the community so as to bring civilization to the area and ensure that life and properties were protected.

The report agreed that when this would be done, it would reduce the impact of bandits and agitators presently ravaging some parts of the state.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU