Isaac Samuel
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has summoned the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over rising tension in the downstream petroleum sector.
The committee also directed all parties involved in the dispute to cease public exchanges and media hostilities, pending the outcome of a swift legislative investigation expected to be concluded within days.
The decision followed an emergency meeting of the joint committees, chaired by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie, on Monday.
Dangote had accused the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, over alleged economic sabotage and undermining domestic refining in the country.
He accused the leadership of NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ugochinyere said the intervention became necessary following public concerns and allegations raised by the Dangote Refinery against the NMDPRA, warning that the renewed tension could undermine efforts to stabilise fuel 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,” he said.
“This is coming at a time when the committee is jealously guarding the stability that has been achieved in the sector.”
Ugochinyere said the committee resolved to formally invite both Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership to appear before it to present detailed explanations on the issues fueling the dispute, with a view to reaching fair and lasting resolutions.
“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,” he said.
He stressed that the National Assembly would intervene without fear or favour once all the facts are laid before it.
In a move to de-escalate the situation, the committee appealed to both parties to suspend further public accusations while legislative intervention is ongoing.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate further,” Ugochinyere noted.
He added that the committee has the capacity to wade into the matter and resolve it once and for all in the interest of the nation.
The lawmaker disclosed that the committee had already received petitions raising critical concerns within the industry, including issues surrounding the issuance of petroleum import licences and questions over whether domestic refineries have sufficient capacity to meet Nigeria’s daily fuel demand.
“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, others to whether local refineries can produce enough to satisfy national demand. The committee’s investigation will address all these concerns,”
Ugochinyere assured that once Dangote, the NMDPRA and other relevant stakeholders appear before the committee, lawmakers would gain full clarity on the issues and develop resolutions aimed at restoring confidence and stability in the sector.
“By the time all the 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,” he said.
Reiterating the committee’s position, he urged all parties to halt further accusations, whether from regulatory agencies or industry players, while the House works to resolve the dispute in the national interest.
