The House of Representatives on Thursday ordered
a probe of the $17bn worth of allegedly undeclared crude oil and liquefied
natural gas exports to foreign countries.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored
by Mr. Agbonayinman Ehiozwa at the plenary session of the House presided over
by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.
While presenting the motion, the lawmaker alleged
that the deal involved 20 companies, two government agencies, two law firms and
a consultant appointed by the immediate past administration of President
Goodluck Jonathan.
Ehiozwa said the motion was predicated on the findings of Molecular Power
System Nigeria Limited, which looked into the issue during the last
administration.
According to him, it was
discovered that from 2011 to December 2014, there was an undeclared crude oil
shortfall of 57,830,000 barrels, translating to well over $12bn shipped to the
United States of America; over $3bn to China; and $839,522,600 to Norway.
He said, “I am further
aware that this job has been done in 51 countries where Nigerian crude oil has
been exported; the report of the USA being the largest receiver of crude oil
and that of other countries was made available to the former President, the
office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency and the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission.
Ehiozwa stated, “As of
today, the country has to its credit over $17bn of recoverable shortfalls from
undeclared crude oil exports to global destinations.
“I am dismayed that the
fiscalisation policy of the Federal Government, which warrants loading of crude
oil from Nigeria to be monitored by the DPR, the Navy, the Customs, the
Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency, has been crippled over the years.
“These agencies have lost
the capacity to go to offshore locations to witness loading. The machines that
monitor loading into the vessels were bought, owned, calibrated and operated
by the International Oil Companies without monitoring.”
He expressed
disappointment that the data so far gathered indicated that for the LNG, there
was a shortfall of 727,460 metric tonnes estimated at about $461.44m from
shipments to seven countries.
The motion was adopted by
the House but a date has yet to be set for the probe.
Punch
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