Reps dissolve oil, gas probe panel

The House of Representatives has dissolved the ad hoc Joint Committee on Downstream and Midstream Committee probing activities of 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, stated this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the committee would be succeeded by a newly constituted ad hoc committee with the same mandate.

The committee was tasked with investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.

He said that the dissolution was to ensure the efficacy and independence of the investigation.

The spokesperson said that the new committee would consist of members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity.

Rotimi said that the House remained committed to addressing vital issues and ensuring thorough oversight.

According to Supreme News reports, 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 aborted probe panel.

Supreme News reports that some lawmakers whose names appeared in the advertisement distanced themselves from the advertisement.