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Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to probe the implementation of the $22 billion Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project alleged to have been poorly managed.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) who expressed concern over the agitation trailing the implementation of the project.
In his lead debate, Chinda noted “there have been several allegations of abuse and mismanagement of funds totalling about $22 billion meant for take off and running of the Brass project.
“The Brass LNG project was originally set up in 2003 with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) owning 49 percent and other affiliates namely, Conoco Phillips, ENI and Chevron holding 17 percent.
He added that “the project has been stuck in the planning stages for more than a decade with some Western partners having pulled out because of tough operating conditions and an unfavourable Investment environment.
He explained that provisions of Section 88(1)(a), (bi) and (ii) and (2b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which confers each House of National Assembly power to conduct or carry out investigations into matters such as this.
“The House is worried that unless the issue is urgently investigated, the essence of the fight against corruption would be defeated and the Nigerian economy and indeed teeming Nigerian masses would be worse for it,” the Rivers lawmaker said.
While ruling, Speaker Yakubu Dogara mandated the Ad-hoc Committee to be set up at the next legislative day, to investigate the expenditure and implementation of the $22 billion Brass LNG project and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
