The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than N115 billion in outstanding statutory levies owed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.
The recovery followed an investigation into unpaid three per cent NDDC levies covering the 2021 to 2023 period, with the anti-graft agency disclosing that 19 of the 43 companies examined were cleared of any outstanding liability.
An EFCC representative, Francis Oka-Phillips Usani, disclosed the figures on Wednesday while appearing before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which is examining the 2021–2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit Report of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
Usani said the investigation established that 24 companies had outstanding liabilities totalling N76.883 billion and $81.076 million.
“At the commencement of the investigation, EFCC invited 43 oil companies, out of which 24 operating within the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities in the sums of N76,883,705,907.17 and $81,076,655.00, while the remaining 19 other oil companies were given a clean bill of health,” he told the committee.
According to the EFCC representative, the investigation and pressure from the commission prompted some of the affected companies to settle their obligations directly with the NDDC.
Such direct payments amounted to N6.709 billion and $16.994 million, he said.
Beyond those direct settlements, the EFCC has also recovered funds on behalf of the NDDC, with N73.373 billion and $67.070 million already released to the development commission.
Usani disclosed that N3.510 billion and $14.005 million remained in the EFCC’s recovery account.
The official, however, stressed that the commission’s investigation was not limited to the NDDC levy issue, noting that there could be other statutory obligations and taxes payable by the companies to the Federal Government.
The committee’s proceedings also took a tougher turn when it rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to respond to queries raised against the company in the NEITI audit report.
The lawmakers faulted the company’s representation at the hearing as inadequate and directed its Managing Director to appear before the committee personally.
The appearance is expected to take place next week, with the committee to announce the specific date.
The Senate’s scrutiny forms part of its wider examination of findings contained in the NEITI audit, particularly issues surrounding statutory payments and financial obligations within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The EFCC’s recovery disclosure underscores the significant financial implications of unpaid levies to the NDDC, whose mandate includes promoting development across the oil-producing Niger Delta region.
