The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has summoned Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over a brewing dispute in the downstream petroleum sector.
The decision followed complaints raised by the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, against the regulator, particularly on issues relating to import licence approvals and the ability of local refineries to meet the country’s fuel needs.
The House Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream), co-chaired by Ikenga Ugochinyere and Henry Okogie, announced the summons after an emergency meeting held to address what they described as “growing tension” in the industry.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ugochinyere said the committee agreed to invite the concerned parties to present their grievances and allegations for prompt legislative intervention.
He noted that the committee also ordered an immediate halt to all public statements and media engagements on the matter until the investigation is concluded, adding that the probe would be completed within a short timeframe.
According to him, “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 added, “This is coming at a time when the committee is jealously guarding the stability that has been achieved in the sector.”
Ugochinyere said the lawmakers acted swiftly to forestall further escalation, especially as efforts are ongoing by government and industry stakeholders to stabilise fuel supply, pricing and regulation in the post-subsidy period.
He explained that the committee resolved to formally summon both Dangote, and the management of the NMDPRA to provide comprehensive clarifications on the issues driving the disagreement.
“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,” he said.
He stated that all unresolved matters would be thoroughly reviewed when relevant refining and regulatory stakeholders appear before the committee.
“By the time Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the NMDPRA and other stakeholders meet with the committee, we will get the real gist of what is happening and come up with resolutions that provide sustainable solutions for the sector,” he assured.
