Oil spill: Reps panel threatens arrest warrant against Oando, Aiteo

The House of Representatives Joint Committees investigating the environmental consequences of crude oil transportation and oil spills allegedly caused by Aiteo E & P and Oando Oil Ltd (formerly Nigerian Agip Oil Company), has given the management of the two firms seven days to appear before it.

The lawmakers who decried the impacts of the oil spill on host communities and the means of livelihood, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the firms following their failure to appear before the panel.

Aiteo E & P and Oando Oil Ltd were invited by the lower chamber to provide detailed explanations regarding their operations in the Niger Delta region but were absent at the hearing.

Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Julius Pondi Gbabojor, issued the warning at the opening of the investigative hearing on Tuesday.

While he frowned at the level of disregard for the Parliament, Gbabojor said the committee had sent four letters to the companies inviting them to the investigation hearing but the firms have been evading summons by the panel constituted to investigate their activities.

“We sent them letter to Agip now Oando, we sent them letters up to four times they requested for two weeks, particularly that of Oando and the two weeks is today, and Aiteo never did not make any contact to the Committee till today,” he said.

“It is important that they are compelled to appear and they must appear before the Parliament before the joint Committee.”

The panel ruled that the firms appear before the panel within one week otherwise, relevant legislative powers would be invoked to compel their appearance before the panel.

Earlier, Gbabojor highlighted the investigative hearing’s significance, describing it as a crucial platform for accountability and environmental justice.

He said the committees were not there to demonize any company but to ensure that oil operations in Nigeria are sustainable and compliant with environmental laws.

“We aim to find solutions, hold the responsible parties accountable where necessary, and recommend the appropriate remedial actions,” Gbabojor said.