By Isaac Mission
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than N115 billion and $84 million in outstanding statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by oil companies operating in Nigeria.
The disclosure was made as the Senate Committee on Public Accounts continued its investigation into alleged non-remittance of statutory obligations by companies in the extractive sector.
An EFCC representative, Francis Oka-Phillips Usani, told the committee that the commission investigated 43 oil companies following findings contained in the 2021–2023 Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Oil and Gas Sector Audit Report.
According to Usani, 24 of the companies were found to have outstanding obligations relating to the three per cent statutory levy payable to the NDDC.
He said the affected companies had outstanding liabilities of about N76.884 billion and $81.077 million, while 19 other companies were cleared after the investigation found no outstanding liability under the specific levy examined.
Usani explained that the EFCC's investigation and subsequent pressure led some of the indebted companies to settle part of their obligations directly with the NDDC.
So far, he said, payments made directly to the commission amounted to approximately N6.709 billion and $16.994 million.
The EFCC official further disclosed that N73.373 billion and $67.070 million recovered on behalf of the NDDC had already been transferred to the development commission.
He added that N3.510 billion and $14.005 million remained in the EFCC's recovery account.
Usani said the commission focused primarily on the unpaid three per cent NDDC levy identified in the NEITI report, although it was also aware that some companies could have other outstanding statutory payments and taxes owed to the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the Senate committee rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to respond to queries raised in the audit report through a representative, saying the company's representation at the hearing was inadequate.
The committee subsequently directed the company's Managing Director to appear personally before the panel at a date to be announced next week.
Managing Directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil Limited and Green Energy International Limited were also given what the committee described as a final opportunity to appear in person and address queries arising from the NEITI findings.
The committee's action reflects its determination to hold the chief executives of companies named in the audit report directly accountable for their financial obligations.
The ongoing investigation is examining compliance with statutory payments to the NDDC and other government agencies, while also seeking to identify potential revenue leakages within Nigeria's oil and gas industry.
Committee Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, said the investigative hearing would continue as the Senate seeks further explanations from affected companies and relevant government agencies.