The House of Representatives has resolved to dissolve the current Joint Ad Hoc Downstream and Midstream Committee investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.
This decision follows the disassociation of two lawmakers from an advertorial calling for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mele Kyari.
At the committee’s inauguration penultimate Monday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, on behalf of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, expressed concerns over the resurgence of fuel queues at petrol stations, the increasing cost of Premium Motor Spirit, and the unavailability of crude oil feedstock for domestic refineries.
Kalu highlighted the necessity for compliance with global standards in the quality of petroleum products imported into Nigeria, stressing that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) must ensure that all petrol imported into the country undergo rigorous laboratory testing to meet standard sulphur and octane levels.
“It is unacceptable that the petrol imported into the country contains high sulphur levels. This has previously led to socioeconomic losses, including the damaging of vehicle engines,” Kalu stated.
He tasked the joint committee with investigating the quality and the number of laboratories that both the NMDPRA and SON use for their tests and to provide actionable feedback.
Since the probe began, the House has faced controversies, with lawmakers splitting into various groups and factions. The ad hoc committee, led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, had been calling for Kyari’s dismissal, while another group of 50 lawmakers, led by Billy Famous Osawaru, has called for his retention, arguing that the call for Kyari’s sacking was premature and against parliamentary culture.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, House spokesperson Rotimi Akin announced the dissolution of the ad hoc committee and the formation of a new one.
“The leadership of the House of Representatives has resolved to dissolve the current Joint Ad Hoc Downstream and Midstream Committee. Initially tasked with investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues, this committee will be succeeded by a newly constituted ad hoc committee with the same mandate,” Akin said.
He added that the new committee would consist of honourable members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity to ensure the efficacy and independence of the investigation.
Meanwhile, two members of the House of Representatives, Mukhtar Shagaya and Sesi Whingan, have disowned the inclusion of their names in an advertorial placed in some national dailies calling for caution in the ongoing probe by the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources Midstream and Downstream.
Shagaya (APC, Kwara) and Whingan (APC, Lagos), in separate statements on Monday in Abuja, condemned the unauthorised inclusion of their names in the “1 AGENDA” statement.
Shagaya clarified that he was not consulted or informed about the statement and was not a member of the coalition. He called for the immediate withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.
“I categorically state that I am neither a member of this so-called coalition nor aware of its existence until the publication of this statement. I did not sign any statement nor was I consulted or informed about it,” Shagaya said.
Similarly, Whingan stated that he had no knowledge of the existence of 1 AGENDA or its objectives and was not part of any resolution process regarding the matter.
“I find it necessary to clarify my stance and to correct this misrepresentation. The publication in question did not reflect my views or position on the matter, and I firmly disassociate myself from it,” Whingan said.
