Nigeria’s House of Representatives Joint Petroleum Committees on Midstream and Downstream sectors have commenced investigation into alleged importation of adulterated petroleum products, non-availability of crude oil needed by domestic refineries, and broader threats to Nigeria’s energy security.
The Joint Investigative committees chaired by Ikenga Imo-Ugochinyere alongside his colleague Henry Okojie at the inaugural meeting which was declared Open by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, called on all stakeholders to refrain from further media engagement on the matter pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Deputy Speaker charged the committee to hold dearly the sacred principles of transparency, fairness, justice and professionalism in going about their mandate asking them to consider the interest of the people and not to compromise the core values of the Tajudeen Abass led 10th House of Representatives.
Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources, (Downstream) Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere who heads the Joint Investigative committee asked refinery operators, importers, producers, and marketers of petroleum products to share their complaints, suggestions, and independent facts.
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The committee explained that the investigation will proceed in phases, staring with the investigation of allegations of local production and importation of substandard petroleum products, as well as the critical issue of crude oil non-availability to refineries and circumstances surrounding it.
The committee revealed that it has identified 30 key items for investigation as directed by the House but will initially focus on conducting laboratory investigations at all local refineries, marketer and importer facilities, and regulatory agency labs such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), visit various filling stations of different marketers, importers’ depots, and other relevant sites to collect samples for analysis.
The Lawmakers said that letters of invitation for paper submissions and appearances have been dispatched to key stakeholders, including the Minister for Petroleum (Oil), the management of NNPCL, the GCEO Mele Kyari, Executive Vice President Downstream, and Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Operations Officers, and their lab heads or testing partners.
Others include IPMAN, PETROAN, NUPRC CEO, independent oil producers, international oil companies (IOCs), importers, marketers, and depot owners.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
