Nigerian Senate Summons Stakeholders in Petroleum Sector for Interrogation
The Nigerian Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the country’s petroleum industry. The committee, led by Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele, has summoned various stakeholders in the sector for interrogation.
The committee has identified several key areas of focus, including the alleged importation of hazardous products and dumping of substandard diesel in Nigeria. The committee will also examine the pre-shipment and pre-discharge standard test parameters adopted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, as well as the level of compliance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSP) arrangements.
The committee has also vowed to unravel the rot in the sector and declared that it would no longer be business as usual. According to the chairman, the committee has resolved to carry out the investigations holistically and thoroughly and has written to all the relevant stakeholders in the sector for submission of relevant documents and appearance before it during the public hearing, fixed for September 10 to September 12, 2024.
The committee has summoned several key stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the NNPCL, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Ports Authority, among others. The committee has also invited international oil companies, Dangote Group, Capital Oil, and modular refineries to appear before it.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Bamidele, emphasized that the committee’s integrity is at stake and that there would be no room for sacred cows. He warned that warrant of arrest would be issued on any head of agency who refuses to honour invitation for appearance.
The committee’s investigation is expected to shed light on the alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry and to identify the perpetrators. The committee’s findings and recommendations are expected to be presented to the Senate in due course.
The Senate’s move to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry is a significant step towards addressing the sector’s challenges and ensuring that the country’s economy is protected. The committee’s work is expected to be closely watched by stakeholders in the sector and by the general public.
