Senate Summons Petroleum Minister, NNPCL, CBN, NPA, and Others Over Alleged Economic Sabotage

The Senate’s ad hoc committee investigating alleged economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry has summoned key stakeholders for questioning.

Led by Senate Leader Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), the 15-member committee announced the hearings scheduled for September 10-12, 2024, during a press briefing on Thursday.

Stakeholders called to appear include the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA); Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); Nigeria Customs Service; Nigerian Navy; international oil companies; Dangote Group; Capital Oil; and various modular refineries.

Formed on July 3, 2024, in response to a motion by Senator Azuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) regarding hazardous product imports and substandard diesel, the committee aims to uncover potential loopholes and ensure regulatory compliance.

Senator Bamidele explained that the investigation will focus on:
– Pre-shipment and pre-discharge testing by NMDPRA
– Compliance with NNPCL’s Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSP) arrangements
– Activities of NMDPRA and payments to transporters over the last decade
– The status of 22 depots built by the defunct NNPC
– Strengthening regulations and monitoring in the oil and gas sector
– The progress of government-funded oil refineries
– Failures in quality sampling and auditing by relevant agencies

The committee has requested relevant documents from stakeholders and emphasized that failure to attend the hearings could result in arrest warrants. Members pledged to thoroughly investigate and address issues in the sector.

Committee members include Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Abdullahi Yahaya, Mohammed Minguno, Adeola Olamilekan, Diket Plang, Harry Banigo, Khabeeb Mustapha, Adams Oshiomhole, Jonah Eteng, Adetokunbo Abiru, Osita Izunaso, Sahabi Ya’u, Abdul Ningi, and Ifeanyi Ubah.