The committee on Mines and Steel Development in the Federal House of Assembly has asked the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, to stop issuing permits to sell explosive devices to oil companies operating in Nigeria.
The directives to revoke all permission were rised by the Committee Chairman, Michael Okon after an investigative hearing on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, he faulted the circumstances that surround the licensing and sales of explosive devices by chief executives of some oil servicing companies
Okoh alleged the hearing is based on the general compliance with the Explosives Act 2013 regarding how companies were permitted and licensed to sell explosive devices to end-users.
Okon and members of the committee, after taking the memoranda submitted by three companies namely AOS Orwell Limited, Halliburton Limited, and Enver Nigeria Limited, accused them of flouting the permission on their sale of explosives.
The lawmaker stated the need for individuals and corporate entities to comply with the use of explosives devices by the provisions of the law.
Representatives of the firms who were interrogated by the committee, however, insisted that they complied with the provisions of the law on the sale and usage of explosives.
It was gathered that the Managing Director of AOS Orwell, Mr. Femi Omotosho, said his company is careful in handling explosives, stating that, the majority of the company’s operations are onshore.
He further submitted the list of end-users of the explosives to the committee.
However, Okon consequently asked the secretariat to write to the other companies that failed to appear before the committee to appear unfailingly within one week after which they would be summoned to appear.
Okon asked the clerk to the committee to convey the resolution of the lawmakers on the matter to the relevant agencies via letters.
Some of the companies include; Hughes Limited, Drilling Technologies Limited, Geoplex Drilling Limited, Sterling Oil Exploration, Energy Production Company Limited, and Slarabare Oil Ltd.
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