A decision has been made by the House of Representatives to dissolve the current Joint Ad Hoc Downstream and Midstream Committee which was investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the lack of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other crucial energy security issues.
Meanwhile, two lawmakers have distanced themselves from an advert urging the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mele Kyari.
During the committee’s recent inauguration, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, representing Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, expressed worries about the return of fuel queues at petrol stations, the rising cost of Premium Motor Spirit, and the absence of crude oil feedstock for domestic refineries.
Kalu emphasized the importance of ensuring that all petrol imported into Nigeria meets global standards for quality, particularly in sulfur and octane levels, by rigorous testing in laboratories.
He underscored the need for robust testing infrastructure and full compliance with standard practices for testing petroleum products to avoid past incidents of high sulfur levels causing engine damage and socioeconomic losses.
Kalu tasked the joint committee with scrutinizing the quality and quantity of laboratories used by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for testing, with a focus on providing actionable feedback.
Since the commencement of the probe, the House has been embroiled in disputes, with lawmakers forming various factions.
The ad hoc committee led by Ikenga Ugochinyere (Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Downstream) had been pushing for Kyari’s removal from NNPLC, while another group of 50 lawmakers advocated for his retention.
Led by Billy Famous Osawaru (Edo State), the lawmakers supporting Kyari’s stay in office argued that calling for his dismissal during an ongoing investigation goes against parliamentary norms.
However, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, the House spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, announced the dissolution of the ad hoc committee and the formation of a new one.
Akin stated, “The House of Representatives leadership has decided to dissolve the current Joint Ad Hoc Downstream and Midstream Committee.
“Initially tasked with investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the lack of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues, this committee will be replaced by a newly formed ad hoc committee with the same objectives.”
Akin highlighted that the new committee would be composed of honorable members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity to ensure an effective and independent investigation.
“The House is committed to addressing these vital issues and ensuring thorough oversight. Further details on the operations of the new committee will be provided in due time,” the House spokesperson remarked.
In another development, two House of Representatives members, Mukhtar Shagaya and Sesi Whingan, have disavowed their inclusion in an advertorial published in some national newspapers.
The advertorial urged caution in the ongoing probe by the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources Midstream and Downstream concerning sector challenges.
Shagaya (APC, Kwara) and Whingan (APC, Lagos), in separate statements in Abuja on Monday, condemned the unauthorized listing of their names in the “1 AGENDA” statement.
Shagaya pointed out that the Parliament is constitutionally mandated to investigate complaints and concerns before making any decisions.
It was noted that on July 3, around 118 lawmakers under the banner of 1 AGENDA placed an advertorial supposedly aimed at supporting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
Shagaya clarified that silence on sensitive matters like NNPLC could be misconstrued as agreement, hence his need to address the issue.
“I would like to address the recent publication attributed to a coalition called ‘1 AGENDA,’ which inaccurately included my name as one of the 118 lawmakers supporting the statement titled ‘NNPCL: A Call for Caution.’
“I want to state emphatically that I am not a member of this alleged coalition and was unaware of its existence until the recent publication.
“I did not endorse or sign any statement, nor was I informed about it. My unauthorized inclusion as number 62 in the list of supporters is misleading.
“To avoid any misunderstandings, I strongly advocate for fair hearings, especially concerning matters related to NNPLC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority,” Shagaya emphasized.
He reiterated his support for the parliamentary duty to conduct thorough investigations before taking any stand.
“Furthermore, I urge the group behind this publication, ‘1 AGENDA,’ to retract the statement and issue a public apology to me for the unauthorized inclusion,” Shagaya concluded.
Likewise, Whingan stated that he was not present at any related meeting or resolution-making process.
“I did not endorse the document in question or any associated with the organization, as I have no knowledge of 1 AGENDA or its objectives.
“I feel compelled to clarify my stance and correct this misrepresentation. The publication does not represent my views or position, and I dissociate myself from it.
“I support the due process of investigation and fair hearings regarding issues involving NNPLC and the NMDPRA initiated by the House of Representatives and any applicable legal frameworks.
“Moreover, as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), I maintain that any actions regarding NNPLC and NMDPRA should be based on factual findings and thorough investigations,” Whingan affirmed.