Reps Pledge Digital Tracking Of Every Export Barrel To End Impunity In Revenue
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE House of Representatives’ Ad hoc Committee on Pre-Shipment Inspection Failures and Non-Remittance of Crude Oil Proceeds has pledged to tackle long-standing revenue leakages in Nigeria’s oil and non-oil export sectors.
The commitment was made by the committee’s Chairman, Rep. Seyi Sowunmi, at the opening of a capacity-building workshop for committee members in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sowunmi highlighted that Nigeria’s billions in annual losses are not just statistics but represent hundreds of hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure that could have been delivered to citizens if pre-shipment regulations had been properly enforced.
He explained that the committee was established in response to mounting evidence of systemic exploitation in the country’s crude and non-oil export chains. He emphasized that the investigation is a national mission aimed at reform, not a witch-hunt.
“Our goal is to close loopholes, recover lost revenues, and restore trust in Nigeria’s economic governance. For the first time, we are scrutinizing the entire export chain, from crude oil flows to financial repatriation, using a transparent, data-driven approach,” Sowunmi said.
The chairman added that the ongoing workshop is intended to arm lawmakers with the technical skills required to analyze export data, maritime operations, and financial intelligence. Specialists in trade compliance, forensic auditing, and international oil transactions are leading the sessions.
“This initiative is an investment in competence, credibility, and national integrity. We welcome public scrutiny because democracy thrives when citizens are informed and engaged,” he stated.
Sowunmi further urged a shift to a fully digital system where every barrel exported is tracked, and every dollar earned is accounted for. He called on lawmakers to strengthen legislative oversight and spearhead reforms that ensure natural resource revenues benefit Nigerians, stressing that the era of unaccounted exports and impunity must end.
Also speaking, Rep. Peter Aniekwe warned committee members to anticipate pushback from vested interests opposed to transparency in oil revenue management.
“Resistance is expected, but we must remain steadfast. Nigeria’s future depends on these revenues, and in the end, Nigerians will appreciate the outcome of our work,” Aniekwe assured.
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