An ad hoc committee of the Senate has summoned the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to address the importation of “substandard petroleum products” and alleged economic sabotage.
The committee, chaired by Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, has also called upon Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum, along with the management of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), among other agencies.
In a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Bamidele announced that the committee would investigate the trillions of naira spent on fixing the country’s refineries without any positive outcomes.
“Our investigation aims to identify and hold accountable those involved in the importation and distribution of adulterated petroleum products (PMS and AGO),” Bamidele stated. “This includes suppliers, importers, regulatory bodies, and any other entities contributing to this serious lapse in quality control.”
He added, “We will conduct a thorough review of current regulatory frameworks and procedures to identify deficiencies and recommend necessary reforms to prevent future occurrences. The committee is committed to ensuring the highest standards of fuel quality for the Nigerian market.”
The committee plans to visit the refineries to assess their challenges. “We will visit any facilities deemed necessary, especially the state-owned refineries, to ascertain their status considering the funds invested in their maintenance over the years without meaningful results,” Bamidele said.
The committee is particularly focused on understanding why local refineries remain non-operational despite substantial investments. “We will closely examine what the NNPC has been doing to address this persistent problem,” Bamidele added.
Addressing concerns about the committee’s integrity, Bamidele assured, “Each member of the committee is carefully selected based on their records of sterling performance. We are men of integrity who will not pursue selfish interests at the expense of national interests.”
He emphasized that the committee was not established to intimidate or witch-hunt but to ensure social and economic justice in light of the current challenges facing the federation. “We take this task seriously to address fundamental issues threatening our economic prosperity, fiscal stability, and public health,” he said.
The committee members include Adams Oshiomhole, Abdul Ningi, Osita Izunazo, Ifeanyi Uba, Diket Plang, Tahir Monguno, and Abdullah Yahaha.
(cable)