• Decry disregard of PIA, local content laws by oil firms in Imo
• MOSOP urges FG to exercise caution on oil resumption amid tension in Ogoniland 

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the abandoned $35 million Brass Modular Refinery project in Bayelsa State, despite the huge financial commitments made four years ago.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Billy Osawaru at yesterday’s plenary.

It also expressed deep concern over the flagrant disregard of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010 by oil and gas companies operating in Imo State.

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his decision to resume oil production in Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta, citing improper consultations that have led to increasing tension and opposition.

Moving the motion titled, ‘Need to Investigate the Abandoned $35 Million Modular Refinery Project in Brass, Bayelsa State, Four Years After Financial Commitments’, Osawaru expressed concern that the project, funded by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), recorded no tangible progress since inception.

He recalled that in 2020, the NCDMB invested $35 million (over N50 billion) in the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, to be sited in Brass, as part of efforts to boost indigenous refining capacity and reduce pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange.

“Despite this substantial investment, the proposed modular refinery was never established, and there is little evidence of progress on the project,” Osawaru stated.

The lawmaker noted that the House had previously directed its relevant committees to investigate the matter, while a petition was also submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in May 2024 to probe NCDMB’s multi-million-dollar investments, including the Brass refinery project.

To date, he noted, no update has been received.

According to him, the non-execution of the project runs contrary to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises indigenous refining as a catalyst for energy independence, job creation and industrial development.

Following deliberations, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the $35 million investment and report back within four weeks.

MOSOP also cautioned divergent groups against incitements, urging all parties to unite in the interest of the Ogoni people rather than fighting one another over the issue of resuming oil production in Ogoni, as they have not yet got it right.

In a statement in Abuja, MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, said the caution had become inevitable following very inciting statements from proponents of oil resumption and the massive condemnation from those opposed to it.

Nsuke urged the Ogoni people to remain calm, expressing hopes that the President would heed their calls for a more inclusive engagement that would allow the people to truly and collectively represent themselves in the way forward.

FOLLOWING the adoption of a motion sponsored by Chike Okafor during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the House mandated its Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring to summon the chief executives of the seven affected oil companies.

Also appearing before the Committee are the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service, to address the alleged infractions.

The lawmakers further directed the oil firms to comply fully with the provisions of the NOGICD Act regarding indigenous employment, contract awards, and establishment of operational offices in their host communities.

They also urged compliance with the Host Communities Development Trust requirements under the PIA 2021 and called on the companies to grant unfettered access to officials of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service for lawful tax-related activities.