Reps disband oil and gas investigation panel

The House of Representatives has dissolved the ad-hoc Joint Committee on Downstream and Midstream activities, which was investigating the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Rep. Akin Rotimi, spokesperson for the House of Representatives, announced this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He explained that the committee would be replaced by a newly formed ad-hoc committee with the same mandate.

The committee’s responsibilities included investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the unavailability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.

The dissolution aims to ensure the investigation’s efficacy and independence.

Rotimi stated that the new committee would comprise members chosen for their expertise, competence, and integrity.

He affirmed the House’s commitment to addressing vital issues and ensuring thorough oversight.

On July 3, 118 members under the banner of “1 AGENDA” placed an advertorial in three national dailies allegedly aimed at protecting NNPCL in the previous probe panel.