From Halima Abdulkadir Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), along with oil and gas companies over the $1 billion gas pipeline project. The lawmakers on Thursday, July 19, ordered the organization condition to appear before it to explain the astronomical cost of completing the two major gas pipeline projects by Ethese companies.
Neptune Prime notes that the Upper chamber gave the NNPC and the IOCs five days ultimatum to appear and explain how far they have gone with the $1 billion gas pipeline project and at the expiration of the deadline, it would be forced to issue a warrant for their arrest.
The senators demonstrating their plight describe the unavailability of the concerned quarters as an attempt to thwart the investigation process about the said it was disrespectful for the companies to send representatives below the rank of Managing Director to attend such sensitive meeting, adding, “This is a deliberate attempt to frustrate the investigation. We frown at the attitude of these companies.” Other members of the committee, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Senator Barnabas Gemade equally expressed disappointment over attempts to hinder the investigations, just as they called on members to issue the companies ultimatum failing which the committee should invoke the powers of the Senate to issue a warrant for the arrest to the recalcitrant companies.
Senator Akpan who noted that the committee was compelled to adjourn the meeting because the companies failed to appear at the session, said that the committee has been investigating the astronomical cost of completing the two major gas pipeline projects by these companies.
He said: “We have been on this investigation for some time now. Only recently, we embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the pipeline projects and we have finished our investigations.”
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