Appointment and Mandate
During a plenary session on July 23, 2025, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced the appointment of Rep. Okpolupm Etteh—who represents the Eket/ONNA/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State—as Chairman of the newly established Ad-hoc Committee on Mismanagement of Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta.
The committee is charged with a comprehensive investigation into allegations of fund mismanagement, particularly:
- Suspected misappropriation of resources
- Underutilization of allocated funds
- Lack of transparency in the administration of money set aside for environmental restoration and community rehabilitation in the Niger Delta
Background and Rationale
The creation of this committee comes in response to mounting public concern and formal petitions from various stakeholders. These concerns center around the slow progress and perceived lack of transparency in the implementation of multi-billion Naira clean-up initiatives, especially in regions severely damaged by prolonged oil spills and environmental neglect, such as Ogoni land.
Leadership and Expectations
Rep. Okpolupm Etteh, a Fellow of the Institute of Oil & Gas Research and Hydrocarbon Studies, is recognized for his commitment to environmental justice and sustainable development. He is anticipated to bring a results-driven and evidence-based approach to the committee’s work, which will involve:
- Tracing the disbursement and application of clean-up funds
- Identifying lapses and inefficiencies in project execution
- Proposing actionable reforms to improve accountability and reinvigorate ecological restoration efforts
Statement from Rep. Etteh
Following his appointment, Rep. Etteh pledged to approach the committee’s assignment with diligence, fairness, and a strong sense of patriotism. He underlined the critical importance of restoring public trust and ensuring that affected communities finally receive the justice and environmental remediation promised to them:
“Our people cannot continue to live in polluted environments while huge sums meant for clean-up efforts are unaccounted for. This Committee will engage with all stakeholders including government agencies, international oil companies, host communities, and civil society, to get to the root of the matter.”
Committee Timeline and Future Actions
The Ad-hoc Committee is expected to complete its work within a specified timeframe. Upon submitting its findings, the House of Representatives may pursue legislative or prosecutorial measures based on the committee’s recommendations, aiming for greater transparency, accountability, and improved outcomes for the region’s long-suffering communities.
