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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has ordered an audit of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, which is managed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The chairman of the Committee, Bamidele Salam, gave the order following the adoption of a motion, calling for an investigation of alleged mismanagement of the fund from 2021 to date, at an investigative hearing organized by the panel, on Monday.
The motion, which was moved by Cyriacus Umeha and seconded by Kafilat Ogbara, noted t that Section 52(7a) stipulates that the fund should be financed through 0.5 percent of the wholesale price of petroleum products and natural gas sold in Nigeria, collected from wholesale customers in addition to levies outlined in Section 47(2)(c) of the Act.
They explained that the fund was established by Section 52(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, and vests the National Assembly with power to authorize the utilization of the fund.
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According to the lawmakers, Sections 52(8) and (9) of the Act, which mandate the NMDPRA to ensure the prompt collection of all such sums into the Fund’s account within 21 days of the sale of petroleum products and natural gas in the country.
It stated that Order 20, Rule 6(5) of the House Standing Orders (11th Edition) empowers the Public Accounts Committee to investigate loss of public revenue, non-remittance of fees, and violations of financial laws in the administration of public funds.
Nevertheless, the committee expressed concerns that it had in a letter dated July 21, 2025, requested the NMDPRA to submit relevant information on the administration and utilization of the Fund and to appear before the Committee on August 12, 2025.
It added that the agency neither responded to the request nor honoured the invitation, necessitating a final reminder on August 26, 2025, which NMDPRA also failed to comply, with..
Consequently, the PAC mandate the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of all funds collected by the NMDPRA since 2021 and report back to it within 60 days for further legislative actions.
