By our correspondent
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has intervened to halt rising tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, following public concerns, allegations, and counter-claims between the Dangote Refinery leadership and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Rising from an emergency meeting, the Joint Committee summoned both parties to present their grievances and allegations for immediate resolution. It also directed them to cease all media hostilities pending the outcome of its investigation, which it promised would be swift.
The Committees, led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, said the intervention was necessary to address “growing tension” that could undermine the fragile stability recently achieved in the sector through the efforts of various stakeholders.
According to Ugochinyere, the Committee was compelled to act quickly to prevent escalation, especially at a time when government and industry players are working to stabilize supply, pricing, and regulation in the post-subsidy era.
“The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the growing tension that has returned to the downstream sector as a result of concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA,” he said.
He added: “This is coming at a time when the Committee is jealously guarding the stability that has been achieved in the sector.”
The Committee resolved to formally invite both the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the NMDPRA to appear before it and provide detailed explanations on the issues fuelling the dispute.
“We can only find sustainable solutions when we identify the critical issues leading to this tension. That is why the Committee resolved to write to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA chief to meet with us and give insights into what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” Ugochinyere explained.
In a bid to calm the situation, the Committee appealed to both parties to suspend public exchanges and media comments while legislative intervention is ongoing.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate further. The Committee has the capacity to wade into this matter and find solutions once and for all,” Ugochinyere added.
