The House of Representatives Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (SCR) has resolved to sanction MTN, Airtel, and other companies for failing to perform their corporate social responsibilities.

The committee said it would enact laws to sanction any offenders in that regard.

Oby Orogbu, the chairman of the Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, said this during a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday on “a bill to regulate corporate social responsibility in Nigeria.

She, however, gave MTN and Airtel the last warning to honour the committee’s invitation or face the arrest warrant.

According to Ms Orogbu, some companies operating in the country have, over time, violated the law, hence the need for punishment.

She also frowned at the conduct of the National Communications Commission, MTN, and Airtel, adding that they had several times ignored the committee’s invitation.

The lawmaker said the committee had no choice but to invoke its powers by issuing a warrant of arrest.

“Section 89, 8 of the constitution mandates individual companies as invited to make themselves available to parliament, but they break the law.

“I want to tell MTN and Airtel that they take so much from our nation and feel too big to appear before the parliament; we will not tolerate that.

“We gave them the powers to operate in Nigeria, so to refuse to honour the invitation of the parliament is a no-no; we take exception to it.

“I have taken all friendly measures to make them understand the need to appear before the parliament, but they have refused.

“If you feel you are responsible, then you should appear before the parliament. We want you to be responsible and accountable,” she Ms Orogbu.

She said that despite operating from across the country, they had disrespected the same nation by not honouring the House invitation.

Wondi Ndanusa, who spoke on behalf of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said the CBN is in support of the bill.

He expressed concern about the proposed imprisonment penalty for defaulting companies, stating that it should be more persuasive.

Mr Ndanusa also said many companies were faced with many financial burdens and responsibilities, adding that the proposed SCR should be domiciled with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Bala Wuoir, the representative of the Oil Producers Trade Section, expressed concern that the PIA already mandates oil companies operating in Nigeria to contribute three per cent of their profits to NDDC.

He said mandating them do so again would be burdensome, adding that oil companies should be exempted from the bill.

(NAN)