Okpolupm Etteh, the member representing Eket/ONNA/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives, has been appointed to lead a high-profile investigation into the alleged mismanagement of multi-billion naira clean-up funds in the Niger Delta region.
House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the mandate during plenary, naming Etteh as Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Mismanagement of Oil Spills Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta. The committee is tasked with uncovering lapses in project execution and tracing fund disbursement in environmental remediation efforts across the oil-rich region.
According to Speaker Abbas, the House's decision follows mounting national concerns and stakeholder petitions regarding the slow pace and perceived lack of transparency in clean-up projects, particularly in areas devastated by decades of oil spills and environmental degradation, such as Ogoni land and other impacted communities.
"The Committee should investigate the alleged misappropriation, underutilization, and lack of transparency in the administration of funds earmarked for the environmental remediation and community rehabilitation efforts in the Niger Delta region," Abbas stated.
In his acceptance speech, Rep Etteh pledged to approach the assignment with diligence, fairness, and patriotism, emphasizing the urgent need to restore public trust and ensure justice for affected communities.
"Our people cannot continue to live in polluted environments while huge sums meant for clean-up efforts are unaccounted for. This Committee will engage with all stakeholders including government agencies, international oil companies, host communities, and civil society, to get to the root of the matter," Etteh declared.
The investigation comes at a critical time for the Niger Delta region, where environmental degradation has been linked to various socio-economic challenges, including health issues, loss of livelihoods, and community displacement. Previous remediation efforts have faced criticism for their effectiveness and financial management.
The committee is expected to submit its findings within a stipulated timeframe, after which the House may take legislative or prosecutorial actions based on its recommendations. Environmental experts have highlighted the importance of this investigation in addressing long-standing ecological justice issues in Nigeria's oil-producing regions.
Stay updated on this developing story by following BenriNews on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
