The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate all the oil and gas pipelines across the country with a view to mitigating the losses occasioned by vandalism and theft of oil facilities in Nigeria.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Muhammed Bello Shehu representing Fagge Federal Constituency, Kano State and 14 other legislators on the matter on the floor of the House at plenary on Tuesday.
Debating on the motion, Shehu noted that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the national economy, contributing approximately 9% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating over 90% of export revenues. The effective transportation of petroleum resources is dependent on the integrity of the country’s pipeline infrastructure.
He further said that between 2018 and 2023, Nigeria recorded over 7,000 incidents of pipeline vandalism, resulting in the loss of $12.74 million worth of crude oil.
He also stated that in October 2024, crude oil supply to Shell’s Forcados Terminal was reduced by 50% due to sabotage, leading to loading delays and the risk of force majeure declarations.
He said, “Concerned that in January 2025, a major pipeline spill from a facility owned by Shell’s Nigeria subsidiary caused environmental devastation in the Niger Delta, worsening pollution and economic hardship for host communities.
“Further concerned that in February 2025, Shell reported an oil spill near Port Harcourt caused by an overflow during pipeline flushing operations, highlighting ongoing risks in pipeline management.
“Recognise that recurrent pipeline breaches have led to extensive environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and substantial national revenue losses, further straining the country’s economic and security landscape.
Further recognise that the Niger Delta region has suffered from decades of oil spills, causing severe health hazards, destruction of farmlands, and contamination of water sources, thereby exacerbating poverty among local communities”.
The House he averred observed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has intensified efforts to combat crude oil theft, uncovering 19 illegal pipeline connections and 58 illegal refineries in a single week in January 2025.
He believes that the deterioration of oil and gas pipeline networks not only threatens Nigeria’s energy security but also undermines the country’s potential sustainable economic development.
The House was presided over by the Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass unanimously adopted the motion with a voice vote.
The House later constituted an Ad Hoc Committee to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the matter with a view to mitigating the losses and shoring up revenue for the federal government.
The House panel is to investigate the state of oil and gas pipelines across Nigeria, including the causes and impacts of frequent vandalization and operational failures.
They are also to assess the adequacy of existing security and maintenance measures in safeguarding national petroleum infrastructure.
They ‘ll examine the effectiveness of past and present government interventions aimed at protecting pipelines.
Moreover the House Ad-hoc Committee is empowered to engage stakeholders, including the NNPCL, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), National Security Agencies, oil companies, host communities, and civil society organisations, to recommend sustainable solutions.
The presiding officer asked the Ad Hoc Committee to report its findings and recommendations to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Other co-sponsors of the motion with Hon Barr Muhammad Bello Shehu are Hon. Ayuba Zaku Denpar, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Hon. Jimbo I. Clement, Hon. Sekav Dzua lyortyom,Hon. Olusola Fatoba,Hon.Tukura Kabir, Hon. Umaru Jeremi, Hon. Aguocha Obinna, Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori, Hon. Adamu I. Ganawa, Hon. Midala U. Bilami, Hon. Kusada A. Yahaya, Hon. Zacharia David and Hon. Moshod Olaire.
In another development, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has threatened to order the arrest of the Executive Secretary of the Federal capital territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola for refusing to explain his role on alleged contravention of the building code of the federal capital territory (FCT).
The Committee chaired by Hon. Irom Michael Etaba, during proceedings on Tuesday explained that the arrest warrant on Adesola would become necessary if he fails to appear before the committee on thursday this week to state his own side of the story on the committal of the alleged infraction.
The Committee’s position followed the adoption of the petition on the issue regarding plot AO9399 cadastral zone filed by the chairman of the House committee on Custom, Elder Leke Abejide.
Etaba who stressed the resolve of the committee to dispense with the matter as soon as possible wondered why Adesola chose to stay away from the hearing in spite of the fact that he is based in Abuja.
Counsel to Abejide, Mr. Samuel Ajayi in a chat with reporters at the end of proceedings of the committee added that he filed a similar petition to the offices of the Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, the Director Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima to also wade into the matter.
“The petition we have before the House is in respect to a special appeal for the Chairman’s swift intervention on the development of a property at AO9399 cadestral zone contravening the building code of the FCT.
“We have a complain in respect to a building going on there which trespassed into the rights of my client. We are urging the appropriate authority to take appropriate step address the issue.”
However, the House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Army to release the detained innocent members of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta or charge them to court
The call was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Francis Waive (APC-Delta) at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Waive recalled the unfortunate killing of 17 soldiers on March 14, 2024, whose lifeless bodies were discovered in Okuama community.
He said that the incident led to the reprisal destruction of the community and the arrest of some residents by the army.
The lawmaker further stated that since the event happened, the perpetrators of the crime had not been arrested despite claims that the alleged criminals were known to the authorities.
“Several innocent indigenes of the community, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogo, Mr Dennis Amlaka, Miss Owhemu Mabel and Pa James Oghoroko, who died in custody, among others, were detained and have since been in detention.
“The affected community requested that a judicial inquiry be made to look into the facts of the events, an option that was not considered.
“The Committee on Defence conducted an investigation into the matter, in which the army refused to participate.
“The Nigerian Army decided to conduct their own investigations; it is believed that by now, one year later, they should have had sufficient time to conclude investigations,” he said.
The house urged the army to release the investigation’s report and rebuild the homes destroyed by their men in the wake of the incident.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, mandated the Committee on Defence to ensure compliance and report to the house within four weeks for further legislative action.
