In a bid to ensure fairness and transparency to all parties concerned, the Leadership of the House of Representatives on Monday unveiled plans to dissolve the current ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee and reconstitute a new one.
The committee was set up last month through a resolution to look into the resurgence of fuel queues in petrol stations, allegations of high cost of PMS, unavailability of fuel stock for downstream domestic refineries, disruption of distribution of PMS products, unfair subsidization of PMS and other petroleum products racketeering and favoritism among others.
It was also saddled with the responsibility to probe the presence of middlemen in trading, indiscriminate issuance of licenses, unavailability of laboratories to check adulterated products among others
Also, it’s terms of reference was to investigate allegation of importation of substandard products and high sulphur diesel into Nigeria, sale of petroleum products below fair market value and its impact on downstream and local refineries and as the source of funds for such interventions, alleged failure of the regulators such as NMDPRA and others to enforce compliance with standards, the lack of support to local crude refineries, and issuance of import license despite local productions.
However, there had been various allegations and counter allegations bordering on alleged corruption already on all media platforms even while the Joint Committee has not fully started its investigation.
But in a statement issued on Monday signed by the House Spokesman Akin Rotimi, and made available to NewsNGR, the Leadership of the House said the committee would be reconstituted to ensure the efficacy and independence of this investigation.
It said the dissolved committee will be succeeded by a newly constituted ad-hoc committee with the same mandate.
The statement said the new committee will consist of honourable members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity.
The statement reads, “The Leadership of the House of Representatives has resolved to dissolve the current ad-hoc Joint 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.
“To ensure the efficacy and independence of this investigation, the new committee will consist of honourable members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity.
“The House remains committed to addressing these vital issues and ensuring thorough oversight. Further details on the new committee’s operations will be provided in due course.”
Members of the House of Representatives seem to be on a war path over the proposed probe of the operations in the midstream
and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry.
While a group led by the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Rep Philip Agbese, are demanding the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd Mele Kyari and the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, about 120 other lawyers under the “1 Agenda group” have faulted that call.
NewsNGR had reported that the 120 lawmakers under the umbrella body of ‘1 Agenda’ had urged the NNPC Ltd to continue to implement initiatives that would guarantee the country’s self sufficiency in oil and gas production.
They recalled a recent publication attributable to a member, which called for the resignation of the GCEO of the NNPCL and the ACE of the NMDPRA and clarified that the statement reflects a personal opinion and not the position of the House of Representatives.
The ‘1 Agenda’ group of lawmakers had said that the GCEO is entitled to a fair hearing, and the House has responsibly constituted a committee to investigate the activities of NNPCL.
This, they noted, is not only right but a constitutional entitlement, noting that any call for resignation at this stage is both unnecessary and premature.