By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) yesterday issued a seven-day ultimatum to Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the project coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), over the N17bn for the clean-up of polluted areas in Ogoni land.
The Committee, at a press briefing in the National Assembly, said the ultimatum followed the HYPREP Boss’s refusal to honour its invitations.
The panel invited Zabbey to provide details of how the N1.1bn in the project`s 2022 budget and an additional N16.6bn in 2023 ” will be utilized to clear some undocumented contaminated sites.”
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP Nasarawa West), handed down the threat.
He said the panel, in view of the behaviour of the project head, resolved to give him until February 4, 2025, to appear before its members.
He said other legislative measures would be invoked to compel his attendance if he fails to appear.
It also demanded details of how the project`s provision was utilised in the 2024 budget, as evidence of remittances it made to “FIRS (VAT & WHT) for the year 2022 to 2024,” as well as the general and current state of the Ogoni land.
Wadada said HYPREP must further provide insights into appropriations for the project and other intervention funds and the amount it has received from the federal government.
He listed the number of times the Committee extended invitations to Zabbey, including December 18, 2023, January 15, 2024, January 28, 2024, February 28, 2024, March 6, 2024, May 22, 224, and January 25, 2025, respectively.
He said, “As you know, based on this committee’s constitutional responsibilities, we are scheduled to take the position of coordinator of HYPREP today.
“Unfortunately, he is not here again, and this is not the first invitation to HYPREP based on the response that the Committee had or got from him on the status inquiry. This is the invitation schedule extended to the coordinator of HYPREP.
“He wrote the Committee on January 12, 2023, to explain his inability to respond to that invitation. And the reason was that he had an earlier engagement. The Committee extended understanding and expected him on January 15, 2024.
“Also, he did not respond, and the reason was that he had to accompany his own Minister to a function. The third invitation was on January 28, 2024, which he did not show up, and no response was communicated to the Committee.”
Wadada described Zabbey`s behaviour as ridiculous and further pointed out that if there had been no Nigeria, the project coordinator`s excuses about holding meetings with the Minister of Environment (the project supervising body) would not have been possible.
He stressed that meetings with the Supervising minister should not take pre-eminence over appearing before the National Assembly.
He said, “The National Assembly is the people’s parliament, and we are representing Nigerians here. So, meeting with the Minister should not take preference over appearing before this all-important Committee, particularly since a series of invitations has been sent to him before now.
“The National Assembly, as empowered by the constitution, compels private sectors to account. It is most unfortunate, most unacceptable that a public agency like HYPREP, which, of course, for every kobo that passes through the table of the coordinator`s office or goes to that project is from the public treasury and must be accounted for,” the committee chairman insisted.
The project was established to address the environmental challenges in Ogoni land in line United with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
*Another lauds soldiers’ bravery, resilience in combating terrorists
Also, yesterday, the Senate Committee on the Army commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their exceptional bravery and resilience in combating terrorism.
The Defence Ministry had on Sunday announced that 70 Boko Haram militants were killed in a series of military operations in the north-eastern Borno State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, revealed in a statement that the operations occurred from January 16 to 25 in the Timbuktu area.
Reacting to the development in a statement he personally signed, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army said the military personnel exhibited professionalism.
He said, “The recent operation, which took place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, showcased the Nigerian Army’s professionalism and dedication as they reclaimed a major insurgent camp in the Mai-Saleh area, bordering Borno and Yobe States.
“This successful operation resulted in the neutralization of over 70 terrorists, including three high-ranking commanders.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during this operation. The nation is forever grateful for their bravery and selflessness.
“The Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the North East and other parts of the country is commendable.
“To ensure the Nigerian Army’s continued success, we urge the government to prioritize their needs, providing necessary funding and support.
“This achievement marks a significant milestone in the war against terrorism, and we must continue to encourage our military to persevere in their efforts. The progress indicates that we are gaining ground, and the Army is doing its best.
“We call on all Nigerians to rally behind the Nigerian Army, supporting their endeavours to eradicate terrorism and ensure a safer, more secure Nigeria. Together, we can achieve this goal.”
