Hon. Miriam Onuoha, a member of the House of Representatives for the Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency, has asserted that the oil and gas industry is too vital to be drawn into political squabbles.
Onuoha emphasized that while it is essential to engage in constructive criticism for the betterment of the sector in the nation’s interest, resorting to propaganda and blackmail to gain cheap political advantage is not only unhelpful but also unpatriotic.
Her remarks came in response to a statement made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who called on the federal government to clarify the reasons behind the expedited approval granted to Oando in the AGIP/ENI acquisition. In that context, it was noted that Onuoha had previously moved a motion calling for the suspension of OVH assets.
In a press release titled “THE ATIKU ABUBAKAR ALLEGATION ABOUT NNPC’S ACQUISITION OF OVH,” Onuoha addressed the situation directly: “I have been made aware of a press release from one Phrank Shaibu, representing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, titled: ‘Atiku to FG: Explain Why Oando Got Accelerated Approval in AGIP/ENI Purchase,’ issued on August 25, 2024, where I was mentioned regarding the motion to suspend OVH assets.”
She clarified, “In July 2023, following the adoption of my motion, the House of Representatives directed NNPC Ltd to halt the acquisition of OVH assets pending a full investigation by its committee.”
Onuoha further explained her role, stating, “On July 28, 2023, I sponsored a motion to investigate alleged irregularities and corruption within NNPC Retail Limited and the OVH acquisition, prompted by concerns from NNPC Limited staff about their job security after OVH was acquired and the relocation of NNPC Retail Limited to Lagos.”
The committee she was part of included invitations to NNPC’s Group CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, and management representatives, who provided explanations regarding the acquisition process and the rationale behind the office relocation.
She noted, “Their testimonies made it clear that NNPC’s management frequently traveled to Abuja for operations, which was costly and inefficient. Addressing the concerns raised by petitioning staff was crucial, and the committee ensured a transparent investigation.”
In closing, Onuoha reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining the integrity of the oil and gas sector while urging for a focus on constructive dialogue rather than political gamesmanship.
