The House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum has convened an emergency meeting following renewed tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, triggered by allegations and counter-allegations involving the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
Briefing journalists after the closed-door meeting, the committee leadership said the intervention became necessary to protect the fragile stability recently achieved in the downstream sector, which is critical to fuel supply and pricing nationwide.
The committee expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the House for his continued support, as well as members who responded promptly to the emergency meeting despite short notice.
According to the committee, the current dispute emerged after concerns were publicly raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote regarding operations in the downstream sector, particularly issues involving the Dangote Refinery and regulatory authorities. Lawmakers warned that escalating public exchanges could undermine market confidence and destabilize the sector.
To address the situation, the committee resolved to formally invite Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the leadership of NNPC to appear before it and provide detailed explanations on the underlying issues fueling the disagreement.
The lawmakers said sustainable solutions can only be achieved by identifying the root causes of the dispute, including concerns surrounding import licences, domestic refining capacity, and whether local refineries can meet Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption needs.
The committee also disclosed that it has received petitions from stakeholders on some of these contentious issues, which will be thoroughly examined during engagements with key players in the refining and regulatory space.
RELATED TRENDS:
Importantly, the House committee urged all parties involved to immediately cease media attacks and inflammatory public statements, warning that continued exchanges could further escalate tensions.
The committee assured Nigerians that it has the capacity and mandate to investigate the matter comprehensively and deliver a lasting resolution that will strengthen the downstream petroleum sector and protect national interests.
Lawmakers present at the meeting unanimously affirmed that the briefing accurately reflected the deliberations held behind closed doors.
FOLLOW US ON X @ https://x.com/SymfoniNews
Comments 2