HYPREP Coordinator Faces Senate Ultimatum Over Non-Attendance.

Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has been threatened with a warrant of arrest by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. This ultimatum follows his repeated failure to respond to multiple summons from the Senate, culminating in a demand for his appearance next Tuesday.

The Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Ahmed Wadada of the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, expressed significant concern regarding Professor Zabbey’s absence from seven consecutive meetings. Senator Wadada emphasized that such disregard for legislative invitations would no longer be tolerated, indicating that the committee is prepared to invoke sanctionable sections of the Constitution if necessary.

In November 2023, HYPREP announced the allocation of $360 million for the clean-up of Ogoniland, a region severely impacted by hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta. The committee’s inquiry aims to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the utilization of these funds. Senator Wadada highlighted the need for Professor Zabbey to clarify the appropriations for the project, including a detailed account of funds received and their allocation, particularly concerning the 2022 and 2023 budgets.

Furthermore, the committee seeks information regarding remittances to the Federal Inland Revenue Service for value-added tax and withholding tax from 2022 to 2024, as well as an update on the current status of the Ogoniland clean-up efforts.

As the situation unfolds, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts remains resolute in its commitment to oversight, aiming to hold accountable those responsible for the remediation of one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental crises.