……..Final Ultimatum: February 4, 2025
By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Senate has strongly criticized the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for repeatedly failing to appear before the National Assembly to account for the N16 billion Ogoni land cleanup project.
During a Senate Public Accounts Committee meeting on Tuesday, Chairman Sen. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada expressed frustration over HYPREP’s continued absence, despite multiple invitations.
While briefing the press, the chairman stressed:“Today, we were scheduled to receive the HYPREP coordinator regarding the hydrocarbon remediation and cleanup of Ogoni land. Unfortunately, he is absent once again,” he said.
Senator Wadada detailed the numerous attempts made by the committee to engage HYPREP, dating back to December 2023. He outlined the agency’s persistent refusals, often citing scheduling conflicts:
December 18, 2023 – Initial invitation sent. HYPREP responded on January 12, 2024, citing a prior engagement.
January 15, 2024 – Coordinator absent, citing a function with the Minister of Environment.
January 28, 2024 – No appearance, no explanation provided.
February 28, 2024 – No response.
March 6, 2024 – No response.
May 22, 2024 – No response.
January 25, 2025 – Absent again, citing a meeting with the Minister.
Describing the repeated absences as “ridiculous,” Wadada emphasized that the Minister of Environment himself is accountable to the National Assembly and that such meetings should not take precedence over legislative inquiries.
“If there were no Nigeria, there wouldn’t be a ministry, let alone a minister. The National Assembly represents the people, and no agency is above legislative oversight,” he stressed.
The Senate committee is demanding explanations on several critical financial matters, including:
Appropriations and Intervention Funds – Total funds received from the federal government.
Utilization of Budget Allocations – Details on how funds from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 budgets were spent.
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Unaccounted N16 Billion (2023) – Allegedly allocated for unspecified contaminated sites.
Tax Compliance – Proof of remittances to the Federal Inland Revenue Service for VAT and withholding tax (2022–2024).
Current State of Ogoni Land Cleanup – An official progress update.
In a last effort to obtain accountability, the committee has granted HYPREP until February 4, 2025, to appear before the Senate. If the agency fails to comply, legislative measures will be taken to compel attendance.
“We will not be distracted by external complaints. Our focus remains on the documents submitted and the facts surrounding this project,” Wadada added.
