The House of Representatives committee investigating the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility by international oil companies operating in the South-south zone has frowned at the repeated shunning of its summons by the concerned firms.
Chairman of the committee, Prof. Lilian Orogbu, who spoke at the resumed hearing of the committee Wednesday expressed displeasure about the attitude of some of the companies, saying they were being disrespectful to the National Assembly.
She said some of the companies have been ignoring invitations from the committee, adding that after three other invitations, the committee will be left with no option but to invoke the powers of the parliament on the affected companies.
She said: “We don’t know who you are. This committee was formed to investigate petitions coming from those places where you operate. Series of petitions are coming from your host communities. We are not here to witch- hunt anybody, not by any means.
“We are here to work together to see that your operations are carried out with all sense of responsibility and that those communities where you operate feel happy that they are also benefiting from these companies operating in their midst.
“We are all talking about building a new Nigeria, while the presidency is talking about renewed hope agenda. We need to give hope to our citizens. If that does not mean anything to you, by the time we begin to invoke the powers of the National Assembly and the powers of the constitution on your companies, I am sure you won’t like it.
“We are here to work with you and in the area where you are not meeting up, the committee will advise you to do the needful and we will come on oversight to what you are doing. But don’t make us look as if we are witch-hunting you.”
