Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajuddeen, has inaugurated an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate compliance with decommissioning and abandonment regulations across Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Inaugurating the committee, Dr. Tajuddeen said the probe is part of efforts to ensure strict adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly regarding environmental protection, the welfare of host communities, and the lifecycle management of oil and gas assets.
He said the committee would review operator’s decommissioning plans, assess their compliance with statutory obligations and confirm whether adequate financial provisions have been made to prevent future environmental or operational liabilities.
Chairman of the ad hoc Committee Bassey Akiba Ekpenyong, described the assignment as a matter of national importance, stressing that abandoned or poorly decommissioned oil and gas facilities posed serious risks, including environmental degradation, economic loss, community conflict, and safety hazards.
Bassey Akina, also confirmed that the committee would engage with NUPRC and NMDPRA as primary regulators, as well as operators, licensees, host communities, environmental and safety experts, civil society, academia, and financial specialists handling decommissioning funds.
He assured that the committee’s approach will be fair, professional, evidence-driven, and transparent in carrying out it’s mandate to ensure full protection of environment, safeguard the economy and uphold the rule of law in line with the Petroleum Industry Acts.
COV/TSIBIRI
