The Nigerian Senate has arisen to wade into the alleged economic sabotage in the nation’s petroleum industry. Towards getting to the bottom of the allegations made against some key players in the industry, the constituted an ad hoc Committee with the mandate to investigate alleged economic sabotage.
The Committee was also charged to summon all the various stakeholders in the sector for interrogation.
This was disclosed to journalists on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference. The Committee revealed its scope and readiness to unviel the alleged saboteurs in the sector. The 15-man Committee is chaired by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
According to the Committee Chairman, the key the stakeholders in the petroleum sector will appear before the committee at a public hearing fixed for September 10 to September 12, 2024.
He pointed that among those summoned are the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA.
Also invited are Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and NUPRC. Also summoned are Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy, international oil companies, IOCs, Dangote Group, Capital Oil, and modular refineries.
Recall that the Committee was set up by the Senate in plenary on Wednesday, July 23, 2024, through a resolution adopted after exhaustive debate by the Senators.
The motion for setting up the Commition was sponsored by Senator Azuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South). He tagged it “The importation of hazardous products and dumping of substandard diesel in Nigeria.”
Addressing the press, Senator Bamidele said: “The rationale for this news conference is pure and simple. It mainly borders on the alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry. Including the recent accusations and counters, of importation of petroleum products into the country.
“Given its consequences on our domestic economy, the Senate, under the able leadership of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, constituted this 15-man ad hoc Committee. It is mandated to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry on July 3, 2024.
“Specifically, the Committee, as mandated by the Senate, would examine the pre-shipment and pre-discharge standard test parameters adopted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority. This is with a view to uncovering loopholes, if any, being exploited to get toxic cargoes into the country.
“Determine the level of compliance of the NNPCL’s Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSP) arrangements. This is in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, including the extent of transparency and accountability.
“Beam legislative searchlight on the activities of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Including payments made to transporters in the last 10 years.
“Enquire from the NNPCL the state/status of the 22 depots built by the defunct NNPC to eliminate road distribution of petroleum products.
“Engage with stakeholders within the oil and gas industry. With a view to identifying possible gaps in regulating and strengthening the surveillance and monitoring structures in place. To enable Nigeria to detect violations of best practice standards in the importation of products before they enter the domestic supply chains.
“Also engage with the NNPCL with a view to understanding the extent of its determination and timelines for the start-up of government-funded oil refineries.
“Investigate how institutions across the importation and distribution chain failed to conduct quality sampling. Shipped in products without auditing. And performed port validations by the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.”
The Chairman stated that the 15-man Committee has resolved to carry out the investigations holistically and thoroughly. He informed that it has written to all the relevant stakeholders in the sector for submission of relevant documents. And to appear before it during the public hearing, fixed for September 10 to September 12, 2024.
The members of the Committee who attended the press conference, vowed to unravel the rot in the sector. They also declared that it would no longer be business as usual.
According to them, their integrity is at stake and there would be no room for sacred cows. They, therefore, declared “that warrant of arrest would be issued on any head of agency who refuses to honour invitation for appearance.”
Members of the Committee include Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Abdullahi Yahaya, Mohammed Minguno, Adeola Olamilekan, Diket Plang, and Harry Banigo. Others are Khabeeb Mustapha, Adams Oshiomhole, Jonah Eteng, Adetokunbo Abiru, Osita Izunaso, Sahabi Ya’u, Abdul Ningi and Ifeanyi Ubah.
source: Daily Post
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