The House of Representatives will inaugurate the Joint Senate/House Ad Hoc Committees on the Petroleum Industry Investigation on September 25, 2024.
This was announced was made by the Spokesman for the House, Akin Rotimi Jr. in a statement shared on Wednesday via the lawmakers’ official WhatsApp platform, according to Nairametrics.
The new committee formation follows the dissolution of the previous Joint Committee on Downstream and Midstream, which had been investigating the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for issues related to adulterated petrol and crude oil shortages affecting local refineries.
Rotimi stated that after the 10th Assembly resumes on September 24, 2024, it will continue its Legislative Agenda with a focus on impactful reforms, including oil and gas sector issues, to drive national development and fulfill its mandate to the Nigerian people.
“Upon reconvening, the leadership of the House will inaugurate the new board of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and the Joint Senate/House Ad Hoc Committees on the Petroleum Industry Investigation on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
“Further details regarding these activities will be announced during plenary on the day of resumption,” he stated.
He revealed that lawmakers had recently conducted constituency outreach across the country, addressing key concerns of constituents and enhancing oversight of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Rotimi disclosed that a new committee will be established to continue investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the shortage of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.
Recall that on July 3, 118 members under the banner “1 AGENDA” placed an advertorial in three national dailies, purportedly to support the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. during the now-aborted probe panel.
However, some lawmakers named in the advertorial have disassociated themselves from it.
The ad-hoc committee, led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Downstream, had been advocating for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari. In contrast, another group of 50 lawmakers has supported his retention.
