Reps summon AGIP over failure to pay $80m debt

The House of Representatives has summoned AGIP Oil Company to appear before it on June 26, 2023, over alleged $80 million owed to De Coon Services Limited.

The House Committee on Public Petition made the summon at its investigative hearing in Abuja on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

The chairman of the committee, Michael Etaba, expressed displeasure over the non-payment and non-appearance of AGIP oil at its investigative hearing.

De Coon is an indigenous company run by Prof Nelson Onubogu, the managing director and chief executive officer of the company.

He said not paying an indigenous company for a job well done and patronising foreigners for the same job was unfortunate.

The committee chairman stated that the act was capable of frustrating indigenous contractors, adding that it would not augur well to drive Nigeria out of business while encouraging foreigners.

The lawmaker said it was high time Nigerians began to take themselves seriously.

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Speaking on the issue, a member of the committee, Matthew Nwogwu, said the non-appearance of AGIP was disrespectful.

Nwogwu stated: “It’s unfortunate that people who are supposed to be accountable to Nigerians are not.

“When a committee like this is mandated by the constitution to handle issues concerning the lives of Nigerians, it summons an organisation but the refusal should call for worry.

“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 president.”

Onubogu, in his response, said the invitation was well advertised in the media, adding that AGIP deliberately shunned the public hearing.

He said the matter started over five years ago, noting that a situation where a Nigerian company is being strangled by an Italian firm was unfortunate.

Onubogu added: “They owe my company over $80 million paid by NNPCL. The NNPCL has paid the money but it was diverted out of Nigeria.

“AGIP Oil Company used some cronies to take this money out of Nigeria, and they refused to pay the Nigerian company.

“AGIP took all my cancelled contracts and gave them to my own staff while they were working for me.

“All I am saying here is that AGIP should pay my money; AGIP should be mandated by the NNPCL to pay my money.”

He, however, said he would not settle for anything other than to get his full money.

The Star