Senate Probes Alleged $71.64 Million, ₦30.7 Billion NDDC Levy Default

The Senate has commenced an investigation into allegations that NEMBE Exploration and Production Company (NEPL) failed to remit statutory contributions amounting to $71.64 million and ₦30.74 billion to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The alleged outstanding payments reportedly cover the period between 2015 and 2024.  

The Senate Committee on the NDDC ordered the company to appear before lawmakers within two weeks to respond to the allegations. The committee also directed that fresh summons be served through official correspondence, electronic mail, and newspaper publications, insisting that only the company’s Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer should appear before the panel.  

The investigation followed a petition alleging that the unpaid statutory contributions have deprived the NDDC of critical funds needed for infrastructure development, environmental remediation, and other intervention projects across the Niger Delta. Lawmakers also requested a comprehensive list of oil companies that have complied with their statutory remittance obligations and those yet to do so.  

According to the petition, reconciliation meetings involving the NDDC and the company established the outstanding debt, with records indicating that only ₦1.5 billion had been paid despite the much larger alleged liability. The petition further argued that the shortfall has significantly affected the commission’s ability to execute development projects in oil-producing communities.  

NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku supported the petition, noting that delayed and unpaid remittances by some oil companies continue to hinder the commission’s operations and the implementation of its budgets. He said statutory contributions remain a major source of funding for the agency’s intervention programmes across the region.  

Several senators described the allegations as serious, with some lawmakers calling for stricter sanctions against companies that fail to comply with the provisions of the NDDC Act. The committee adjourned the hearing for two weeks to allow the company to appear and respond to the allegations before further legislative action is taken.