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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has waded into the rift between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The joint panel, chaired by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere and Henry Okogie, after an emergency meeting, invited the two parties to appear before it over the conflict between them, noting that the hostility between the two companies could undermine the fragile stability in the oil sector .
Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA have been at loggerheads over allegations and counter-allegations of sabotage in the petroleum downstream sector.
Ugochinyere, who spoke after the meeting, noted that a joint panel was compelled to act swiftly to prevent further escalation, especially at a time when government and industry stakeholders are working to stabilise 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.
“This is coming at a time when the committee is jealously guarding the stability that has been achieved in the sector.”
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According to him, only a clear understanding of the underlying problems would enable the National Assembly to broker lasting solutions between the warring companies.
“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.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate further. The committee has the capacity to wade into this matter and find solutions once and for all.”
Ugochinyere added that the panel has already received petitions bordering on critical industry concerns, including the issuance of import licences and questions around whether domestic refineries have the capacity to 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 which the investigation being undertaken by the committee will resolve.
“By the time Alhaji 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.
“We are pleading with them to cease further attacks on each other, whether from the regulatory agency or the refining community while the committee sorts out these issues,” he noted.
