With lawmakers splitting into various groups and factions over NNPCL and NMDPRA investigation, the House decision to disband the ad-hoc committee may not be unconnected to the controversies surrounding the probe
The House of Representatives has announced the dissolution of the current ad-hoc joint downstream and midstream committee.
A groups of members of House of Representatives under the aegis of ‘1 Agenda’ had published a support for the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed. The group rejected calls for their removal.
However, following the controversies over the publication, Rep. Akin Rotimi (APC Ekiti), spokesperson of the House of Representatives, announced the dissolution of the committee in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
The committee led by chairman of the House committee on petroleum downstream, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP Imo), was initially established to investigate the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.
To ensure the efficacy and independence of this investigation, the spokesman of the House Rep. Rotimi noted that a new ad-hoc committee will be tasked with the same mandate, adding that it will be composed of members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity.
“The House remains committed to addressing these vital issues and ensuring thorough oversight. Further details on the new committee’s operations will be provided in due course.” Rotimi added, but remained silent on the reasons why the House dissolved the committee.
