The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has intervened to quell rising tensions in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The move came following allegations involving the Dangote Refinery group and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The committees, led by Mr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Mr. Henry Okogie, convened an emergency meeting to address what they described as “growing tension” capable of undermining the fragile stability recently achieved in the sector.
They summoned both parties to present their grievances and ordered a halt to all media hostilities pending the outcome of the investigation, which is expected to be concluded within days.
“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,” Ugochinyere said.
He explained that “the committee’s goal is to obtain a clear understanding of the issues to broker lasting solutions without fear or favour.”
“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.
In a bid to calm the situation, the committee appealed to both parties to halt public exchanges and media comments while the 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,” Ugochinyere noted.
The committee has also received petitions relating to critical industry concerns, including the issuance of import licences and the capacity of domestic refineries to meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs.
“By the time 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 them.
He reiterated that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined, urging stakeholders to suspend further accusations while the House works to resolve the dispute in the national interest.
“The decisions announced reflected the unanimous outcome of the committee’s closed-door deliberations,” Ugochinyere said, affirming the committee’s readiness to stabilize the sector amid heightened public scrutiny.