The House of Representatives has formed a new committee to address economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.
Ikenga Ugochinyere, the former ad-hoc chairman and current Chairman of the House Committee on Upstream Petroleum, is notably absent from the new committee.
Recently, the House dissolved the previous ad-hoc committee, which had been investigating issues such as the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the lack of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security concerns. This decision followed several controversies since the committee’s inception.
The previous committee, led by Ugochinyere, had called for the dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. However, a group of 50 lawmakers, led by Billy Osawaru from Edo State, opposed Kyari’s removal, arguing that it would be against parliamentary norms to take such action while an investigation is ongoing.
On Friday, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen announced the members of the newly formed committee, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the matter. He highlighted the need for close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“The urgency and importance of this matter have necessitated close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Abbas stated.
Julius Ihonvbere, the leader of the House, was named Co-Chairman of the committee. Other members include Hon. Iduma Ighariwey, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, Hon. Sada Soli, Hon. Fatima Talba, Hon. Tunji Raheem, and Hon. Patrick Umoh.
House spokesman Rotimi Akin explained that the new committee structure is designed to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues, and ease of administrative coordination. He added that the committee is expected to begin its work immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.
“This new structure aims to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues, and ease of administrative coordination, resulting in a harmonized and efficient investigation,” Akin said. “The committee is expected to commence its duties immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.”
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