The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has intervened to stem rising tension in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector following public allegations and counter-claims involving the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The Joint Committee has summoned all parties involved to appear before it to present their grievances and allegations, while directing them to immediately cease all media exchanges pending the outcome of the legislative intervention.
The decision was disclosed by the chairmen of the committees, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, after an emergency meeting convened in response to what they described as growing tension capable of undermining recent stability in the sector.
Ugochinyere said the committee was compelled to act swiftly to prevent further escalation, particularly at a time when government and industry stakeholders are working to stabilise fuel 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 that the committee resolved to formally invite the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the NMDPRA to provide detailed explanations on the issues fueling the dispute, with a view to reaching swift and lasting resolutions.
“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 said.
In a move aimed at calming the situation, the committee appealed to both parties to halt further public statements and media engagements 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,” he said.
Ugochinyere disclosed that the committee has already received petitions touching on critical industry issues, including the issuance of fuel import licences and concerns over whether domestic refineries can meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs.
“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, others to whether local refineries can produce enough to satisfy national demand. The investigation undertaken by the committee will resolve these matters,” he said.
The intervention follows allegations made by Aliko Dangote, who on Sunday accused the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, of corruption during a media briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki, Lagos.
Dangote alleged that Farouk Ahmed spent about $5 million on secondary school education for his children in Switzerland, an amount he described as inconsistent with a public servant’s income and a threat to public trust in regulatory institutions.
He called for an investigation into the matter, insisting that taxpayers deserve accountability. As of the time of filing this report, the NMDPRA had yet to issue a statement in response to the allegation.
