The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources has invited Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to resolve disagreements threatening stability in the downstream petroleum sector.
The committee’s chairman, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, disclosed this on Monday after an emergency meeting in Abuja, warning that rising tensions could undermine the fragile stability recently achieved in the sector.
Ugochinyere said the intervention was necessary as the country continues efforts to stabilise fuel supply, pricing and regulation in Nigeria’s post-subsidy petroleum era.
“The key issue is the renewed tension arising from concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA.
“We are guarding hard-won stability. Sustainable solutions require identifying the critical issues, hence our invitation to Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA leadership,” he said.
He said petitions received by the committee centred on the issuance of import licences and questions over whether domestic refineries could adequately meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum demand.
Ugochinyere added that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined when key refining and regulatory stakeholders appear before the committee.