By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating pre-shipment inspection failures and the non-remittance of crude oil proceeds has resolved to address longstanding revenue leakages in Nigeria’s oil and non-oil export sectors.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Seyi Sowunmi made the pledge at the opening of a capacity-building workshop for members of the Committee in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sowunmi noted that Nigeria’s continued losses running into billions of dollars were not abstract figures but the equivalent of hundreds of hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure denied to citizens because of violations of pre-shipment regulations.
He said the House set up the committee in response to mounting evidence of systemic exploitation in crude and non-oil exports, stressing that the probe is a national mission, not a witch-hunt.
“This committee intends to close loopholes, recover lost value, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s economic governance.
“For the first time, we are looking at the entire export chain from crude oil flows to financial repatriation through a transparent, data-driven lens,” he said.
The chairman said the ongoing workshop was designed to equip lawmakers with the expertise needed to confront the technicalities surrounding export data, maritime operations, and financial intelligence.
He said that experts in trade compliance, forensic auditing, and international oil transactions are facilitating the training.
According to him, the exercise is an investment in competence, credibility, and national integrity.
He added that public scrutiny was welcome as democracy flourishes when the people are informed and engaged.
Sowunmi stressed that the country must transition to a system where exported barrels are digitally tracked and every dollar earned is accounted for.
He urged his colleagues to embrace stronger legislative oversight and champion reforms that would guarantee that natural resource earnings benefit Nigerians, warning that the era of impunity and unaccounted exports is coming to an end.
Also speaking, Hon. Peter Aniekwe cautioned members to expect resistance from vested interests opposed to transparency in oil revenues.
Aniekwe however assured that the Committee is determined to plug all the leakages.
“We know there will be fightbacks but we must stand firm and do the right thing because the country depends on this revenue. In the end, Nigerians will be happy with our work,” he said.
