Alleged irregularity: Reps to probe DPR issuance of offshore safety permits

THE House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate revenue leakages and activities of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR),a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Gabriel Onyenwife.

While moving the motion, Onyenwife emphasised the need to investigate the alleged non-compliance with due process in the issuance of offshore safety permits by the DPR.

He pointed out that the DPR neglected its primary responsibility of ensuring compliance with petroleum laws, regulations and guidelines in the oil and gas industry by delegating part of its duty to a limited liability company.

According to him, “the DPR has delegated part of its duties to a (limited liability company) by saddling it with the responsibility of issuing out offshore safety permits and other licenses to all exploration and production companies, service companies and downstream companies.

Onyenwife further said that revenues that accrued from the oil exploration activities were trusted into a foreign account in the United State of America, with the company as one of the signatories.

According to him, “there was outright subversion of due process in contracting out this function, as there was no compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007

“This act is being perpetrated by a government agency that so much premium is placed on, taking into consideration the serious financial straits the country is facing,” he added.

The Ad-hoc Committee, which is to carry out the investigation is to report back to the House within eight weeks.