Senate Investigates Toxic Petroleum Products in Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has announced its intention to investigate the alleged importation of toxic petroleum products into the country. The Senate Ad-Hoc Committee, led by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, will conduct the investigation to ensure the safety and security of the nation’s energy sector.
According to Sen. Bamidele, the committee will examine the pre-shipment and pre-discharge test parameters adopted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority to uncover any loopholes that may be exploited to get toxic petroleum cargos into the country. The committee will also determine the level of compliance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPCL) direct sale and direct purchased arrangements with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The investigation will also focus on the activities of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, including payments made to transporters in the last 10 years. The committee will also meet with stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to identify possible gaps in regulating and strengthening the surveillance and monitoring structures in place to detect violations of best practice standards in the importation of products.
Sen. Bamidele emphasized that the committee is committed to ensuring social and economic justice in the light of grim realities facing Nigeria. He assured the public that the committee will pursue the investigation with utmost diligence and integrity, dedicated to safeguarding the interests of all Nigerians and restoring confidence in the energy sector.
The committee has called on all relevant stakeholders to cooperate fully with the investigation, which will include a public hearing with concerned stakeholders to unravel those behind the illicit importation of hazardous, substandard petroleum products into Nigeria. The public hearing is scheduled to take place from September 10 to September 12.
The Senate’s investigation comes amid concerns over the safety and quality of petroleum products imported into Nigeria. The committee’s findings are expected to shed light on the extent of the problem and inform measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
