Nigeria’s Senate Ad Hoc Committee Postpones Public Hearing on Adulterated Petroleum Products
A Senate ad hoc committee investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products in Nigeria has postponed its planned public hearing until further notice. The committee, inaugurated on July 3, was tasked with unraveling the circumstances surrounding the persistent importation of hazardous fuel and revealing the identity of those behind it.
Chairperson of the Committee, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the postponement in a statement on Sunday, citing the need to consult more widely with stakeholders within and outside the petroleum industry to deepen due diligence in the conduct of the investigative hearing. The hearing was earlier scheduled for September 10-12.
The postponement comes amid persistent circulation of dangerous fuel across the country, which has been causing economic sabotage to Nigeria’s petroleum industry. The contaminated fuel has also been damaging vehicles, leading to long queues at petrol stations nationwide.
The committee was also mandated to investigate the reasons behind refineries’ failure to commence operation despite huge funds allocated for that purpose annually. In July, the committee held an interactive session with individuals and companies in the petroleum industry, during which Mr. Bamidele expressed displeasure with the persistent long queues and condemned the failure of government-owned refineries to function.
The postponement of the public hearing has been met with mixed reactions, with some stakeholders expressing disappointment while others have welcomed the decision, citing the need for a more thorough investigation.
The management of the Dangote refinery had recently accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of indiscriminately granting licenses to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country. However, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria has denied the allegation.
A new date for the public hearing will be announced soon, according to Mr. Bamidele. The committee’s decision to postpone the hearing is seen as a step in the right direction, as it will allow for a more comprehensive investigation into the matter and a better approach to solving the challenges facing Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
