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The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned AGIP Petroleum to appear before it on June 26 to investigate its alleged debt of N80 million to De Cooon Services Limited.
The lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with Agip Oil for non-payment and failure to attend the investigative hearing in Abuja on Thursday.
De Coon is an indigenous company run by the company’s Managing Director and CEO, Professor Nelson Onubogu.
The panel said it was unfortunate that local companies were not paid for the work they did well, while foreign companies were hired in a patronizing manner to do the same work.
The committee also said the bill could demoralize local contractors, saying it would bankrupt Nigeria and encourage foreigners to come and do business, which is not a good sign.
The committee said it was high time Nigerians started taking themselves seriously.
Speaking on the issue, Rep. Matthew Mogu, a member of the committee, said the absence of AGIP was an act of disrespect.
“Unfortunately, those who should be accountable to the Nigerian people have failed to do so.
“When the Constitution mandates the establishment of such a commission to deal with issues concerning the lives of Nigerians, it convenes an organisation, but its refusal to do so should be a cause for concern.
“I don’t know who is protecting who, but no one is above the law; the only people who have immunity are the governor and the president.
In his response, Onubogu said the invitation had been widely publicised in the media, adding that AGIP deliberately avoided the public hearing.
He said the matter started more than five years ago, adding that it was unfortunate that a Nigerian company was killed by an Italian company.
According to him, they owed my company over $80 million, which was paid by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had paid the money, but the money was transferred out of Nigeria.
“Agip Oil used some cronies to transfer the money out of Nigeria and refused to pay the Nigerian companies.
“AGIP took all my cancelled contracts and gave them to the staff working under me.
“What I am saying here is that AGIP should pay my money; AGIP should be mandated by NNPCL to pay my money.
However, he said he would not be satisfied until he got all his money back.
“I don’t believe in the middle ground; the right thing should be done; they owe me money, they should pay me back and reinstate any contracts I was awarded.
“There are rules and regulations in terms of termination and awarding of contracts
He said he was willing to resolve the impasse peacefully as long as AGIP complied, adding that no one could ask him to give up the funds.
Onubogu said he firmly believed that the matter must be resolved with justice.
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