The Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed worry over unwholesome practices carried out by a company exploring crude oil and gas at Ogwuikpele community in Ogbaru local government area of the state.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the House 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 member representing Ekwusigo constituency and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme while presenting the report on behalf of the committee, said the lawmakers 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 also recommended that the government should take necessary legal actions to ensure justice is served, and that the Ogwuikpele community receives proper compensation for the impacts caused by the operations of the oil company.
The lawmakers 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 fulfil 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.
Speaking to house of assembly correspondents in an interview after plenary, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Chidi Ibemeka urged the executive arm to look into crude oil production, exportation, hydrocarbon tax, royalty payment, establishment of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund, and penalties for gas flaring.
Ibemeka the member representing Njikoka one constituency also called on the state government to demand details on the daily quantity of crude oil produced, the mode of transportation, and the exportation process.
” Anambra state is one of the oil producing states in Nigeria and its been short-changed.
“During our oversight function, we observed that their is no means of calculations of all the explorations going on in Ogwuikpele community.
” This is a monumental loss to our people. Anambra State is blessed with mineral resources but we are loosing what is duo for us.
” In our visit to Ogwuikpele, we realize that community interest is been shortchanged and we are calling on the government of Anambra State and the Federal Government to investigate the activities.
” Their are alot of challenges in Ogwuikpele community. We observed that their is no good community schools, hospital, no good drinking water because the activities of this companies.
“I believe that once some of this social aminities are been provided, the livelihood of the people living in those areas will improve and Anambra State Government will recover their lost revenues.
” Since 2019, the company has not paid
PAYE tax, no accountability on their achievements and explorations. Their are underground 18 inches pipes across the state.
“Ndi Anambra are not well represented in those facilities. We could not find a single Anambra citizen who could exertain the quantities of oil and gas explored on daily basis.
” The base manager comfimed before the committee members that they usually explore over five crude oil on daily basis and we need to know who those resources are been sold to, the quantities and not extimations so we can recover our revenue.
“I believe that the executive will give the report and recommendation of the committee maximum attention’. Ibemeka concluded.
