The Senate has announced the postponement of its public hearing regarding alleged sabotage in the petroleum sector, citing the need for broader consultations with stakeholders.
These consultations are expected to enhance the outcome of the investigative hearing.
According to The PUNCH, among the key figures summoned for the hearing, which was initially set for September 10 to 12, 2024, are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Ports Authority.
Additionally, other entities such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy, International Oil Companies, Dangote Group, Capital Oil, and modular refineries were also called to appear.
The Senate noted that legislative priorities, aimed at ensuring due diligence in the investigation, played a significant role in delaying the hearing. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, shared these updates in a statement on Sunday.
This committee was established to probe several key issues within the sector, including the billions spent on maintaining the country’s refineries, overpayments made to transporters by regulatory agencies, and the alleged importation of unsafe petroleum products, including substandard diesel.
Following a series of pre-investigation activities, which included consultations with key players from both public agencies and private interests in the downstream and midstream sectors, the committee had originally set its hearing for September 10 to 12, 2024.
However, Bamidele stated that after consultations with all committee members and critical stakeholders in the industry, it was deemed necessary to delay the hearing.
Bamidele emphasized that the decision to postpone was made in the best interests of the country, highlighting the need for more extensive engagement with additional stakeholders both inside and outside the petroleum sector.
He added that the postponement also aligns with legislative priorities, which require further due diligence.
Acknowledging the national importance of the matter, Bamidele stated, “While we deeply regret all inconveniences it may have caused all the stakeholders collectively or individually, this decision was taken purely and solely in the national interest.”
He further assured stakeholders that a new date for the public hearing would be announced soon, allowing the ad-hoc committee to take a comprehensive approach to resolving the challenges plaguing the petroleum industry.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Kwara State branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress urged the Federal Government to reverse the recent increase in petrol prices.
In a statement issued by the NLC State Chairman, Muritala Olayinka, the price hike was labeled as an “assault on workers wellbeing and a breach of contract.”
After the Nigerian National Petroleum Company raised petrol prices last week, independent fuel stations responded by selling the product at rates between N1000 and N1200 per litre. In Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, fuel was being dispensed at N1000 per litre.
Olayinka criticized the Federal Government for reneging on its agreement with the organized labour, stating that the new minimum wage of N70,000 was accepted on the condition that petrol prices would not be raised.
He expressed disappointment at the government’s decision to increase fuel prices amid the current economic difficulties faced by Nigerians.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress Kwara State Council received the news of the recent fuel price hike with indignation. This hike is worrisome due to the harsh socio-economic situation in the state and Nigeria at large,” said Olayinka.
He urged citizens to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, noting that labour leadership is closely monitoring the situation.
He emphasized the union’s commitment to engaging with the government and relevant stakeholders to alleviate the suffering of workers and the wider public, saying, “Consequently, it is our resolve to engage the government to bring succour to the working-class people and the Nigerian masses.”
The NLC also called on the Federal Government to reconsider and reverse certain economic policies it described as “not labour-friendly and anti-people.”
