The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has recovered more than ₦115 billion in outstanding statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by oil companies between 2021 and 2023.
The recovery consists of ₦76.883 billion and $81.076 million in unpaid three per cent levies due to the NDDC, according to EFCC representative Francis Oka-Phillips Usani.
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 prepared by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
He said the EFCC investigated 43 oil companies over alleged failure to meet their statutory obligations to the NDDC.
According to him, 24 companies operating in the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities amounting to ₦76,883,705,907.17 and $81,076,655, while 19 others were found to have no outstanding debts.
Usani explained that the commission’s investigation and subsequent engagements with the affected companies led some of them to settle their obligations directly with the NDDC.
He said those direct payments amounted to ₦6.709 billion and $16.994 million.
The EFCC representative further disclosed that ₦73.373 billion and $67.070 million recovered by the commission had already been transferred to the NDDC.
He added that ₦3.510 billion and $14.005 million were still being held in the EFCC’s recovery account.
Usani also noted that the commission was reviewing other potential statutory liabilities and taxes that may still be owed to the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the Senate Public Accounts Committee rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to respond to queries contained in the audit report, citing inadequate representation at the proceedings.
The committee consequently directed the company’s Managing Director to appear personally before it at a date to be announced next week.
