Senate Archives - HEDA Resource Centre

HEDA Demands Transparency as Senate Probes Oil Companies Over NEITI Audit Queries

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called for full transparency and public accountability in the Senate’s ongoing investigation into audit queries involving Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria, All Grace Energy and Aradel Energy. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation maintain that the call follows the decision of the Senate Public Accounts Committee to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the companies to appear before the committee after they failed to attend an investigative hearing on audit queries contained in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). According to Suraju, the Senate’s investigation underscores the importance of effective oversight and transparent management of Nigeria’s natural resources, particularly in the extractive sector, where unresolved financial obligations can have significant implications for public revenue. “These companies should be given the opportunity to respond fully to the audit queries and present relevant documentation, while insisting that any established financial obligations to government must be recovered and accounted for transparently.” Suraju noted. “Public resources belong to Nigerians, and every company operating in the extractive sector has a responsibility to comply with the laws governing the payment of royalties, taxes and other statutory obligations. Where audit queries raise questions about payments due to government, these issues must be investigated openly and resolved based on verifiable evidence,” He added. Similarly, HEDA also urged the Senate Public Accounts Committee to conduct the investigation transparently and publish its findings and recommendations, including details of any outstanding liabilities established against the affected companies. The group noted that the appearance of Dubri Oil Company before the committee and its submission of documents disputing the reported $3.25 million royalty and gas-flare debt demonstrates the importance of allowing all parties to present evidence and reconcile disputed figures before conclusions are reached. HEDA therefore called on the Senate, NEITI, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other relevant agencies to ensure that the investigation leads to concrete outcomes rather than becoming another unresolved audit matter. The organisation further urged the affected companies to cooperate fully with the Senate investigation and provide all information required to clarify the audit queries. “Nigerians deserve to know whether revenues arising from the country’s oil and gas resources have been properly assessed, collected and accounted for, and legislative oversight must ultimately translate into the protection of public revenue and stronger accountability in the extractive sector.” Suraju concluded.

August 28, 2026August 28, 2026 By heda 0

Climate change

Oil Theft: Senate Must Match Security Efforts with Justice from IOCs for Niger Delta – HEDA

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Nigerian Senate to extend its ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft by holding International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell and Eni, fully accountable for decades of environmental degradation, economic sabotage, and human rights violations in the Niger Delta. Reacting to the recent meeting between the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, HEDA in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, welcomed the renewed legislative attention to oil-related crimes but insisted that justice must go beyond addressing local theft. “While we commend the Senate for stepping up collaboration with security agencies to tackle oil theft, the deeper and more enduring theft is the environmental and economic plunder by IOCs. These companies including Shell and Eni in particular are attempting to exit Nigerian onshore quietly, divesting their assets without taking responsibility for the massive devastation they have caused. That is unacceptable.” Suraju maintained. The Senate Committee, led by Senator Ned Nwoko, recently emphasized the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and stronger coordination with security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. However, HEDA insists that securing oil assets is only one part of the equation. “Justice for Niger Delta residents cannot be secured by police action alone, if the Senate truly wants to end economic sabotage, then it must also tackle the longstanding impunity of oil multinationals who, for decades, operated with little regard for the environment or the people.” Suraju added. HEDA recalled its consistent advocacy against hasty divestment by IOCs. The organization petitioned both Nigerian authorities and international accountability institutions to demand that IOCs remediate polluted sites and compensate affected communities before divesting. This demand was repeated in 2023 and 2024 following international legal rulings against the Shell. Yet, concrete local action remains grossly inadequate. “It’s time for the Nigerian Senate to show the same urgency in enforcing environmental justice as it is doing in curbing oil theft, communities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and beyond continue to suffer the health, economic, and ecological consequences of oil extraction and they must not be abandoned again.” Suraju stressed. According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), between 2002 and 2025, Nigeria lost over 353 million barrels of crude oil worth an estimated $25.7 billion to theft. HEDA warns that the Senate must also investigate how much more has been lost to pollution, displacement, and corporate irresponsibility. “This is a defining moment, the Senate must rise above politics and protect the dignity and rights of the people. Shell and Eni must not be allowed to walk away without cleaning up their mess. Anything less is an injustice.” Suraju concluded.

August 25, 2025August 25, 2025 By heda

HEDA News

HEDA Calls for Transparency in the Outcomes of Senate Hearing on Subsidy Funds and Budget Performance

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) urges the Nigeria Senate Committee on Appropriation, chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan, to prioritize transparency and accountability in the recent Senate hearing involving the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organization expressed serious concerns over key financial issues raised by the Senate committee, such as savings and expenditures from the removal of the fuel subsidy and debt servicing, and urged the Senate to ensure comprehensive investigations, and make the findings publicly accessible. According to Suraju, the Nigerian public have the right to know how their resources are being managed, particularly during economic challenges. He further emphasized the need for the Minister to provide detailed accounts of the savings and expenditures from subsidy removal to the Parliament, clearly outline debt servicing costs for 2024, and provide projections for 2025. The civil society organization also expressed disappointment in the apparent lack of readiness displayed by some public officials during the public hearing, and their sudden demand for closed door session with the parliamentary committee, stating that it undermines public trust in governance. “Closed-door sessions must not become a means of avoiding public accountability. Transparency in these matters is critical for fostering good governance and restoring citizens’ confidence in government institutions,” the statement added. HEDA further called on the Federal Government to enhance its public communication efforts by providing regular updates on the management of national resources. It further demands the monthly publication of FAAC allocations of the Federation across the three tiers of government. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

January 13, 2025 By Nurudeen Salako