Juliet Daramola
The House of Representatives has raised an ad-hoc committee to immediately commence investigation into debts totaling N2.6 trillion allegedly owed the Federal Government by oil and gas companies operating in the country.
The House, which was presided over by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday, raised an Adhoc committee to investigate the matter after the lawmaker representing Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Rep. Ahmed Munir, brought it up the floor through a motion on notice.
His motion, which received unanimous endorsement by his colleagues, reads partly, “The House, concerned that such a huge debt is being overlooked at a critical time when the country needs funding for its annual budget.
“Cognisant that if debts are recovered, the money could be used to service some of the Federal Government’s debts as well as fund up to 16.2 percent of the 2022 budget deficit.
“Also cognisant that recovery of the debts is critical in this period of dwindling revenues especially as the Covid-19 pandemic has grossly affected the country’s economy.”
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has in one of it reports consistently maintained that the accruals is from “failure of the firms to remit Petroleum Profit Tax, Company Income Tax, Education Tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax, Royalties, Penalties and Concession on rentals to the Federal Government.”
The Speaker and most members were jolted on hearing about the huge debt figure. “N2.6tn is a lot of money. Hon. Munir, are you really sure of this figure?”
However, a member from Ogun State, Rep. Isiaka Ibrahim, advised the House to proceed on the side of caution by conducting what he called a “proper investigation.”
He argued that there was a possibility that some of the debts might be due to delays in the reconciliation of figures between the federal government and the oil firms.
“Let us carry out a proper investigation on what oil firms owe the FG and what the FG owes the oil firms,” the lawmaker added.
Isiaka noted that there had been some unresolved issues between the two sides relating to Joint Venture (JV) Cash Calls.