Saboteurs in the nation’s petroleum sector and those responsible for the importation of toxic fuel into the country will be exposed, the Senate vowed yesterday.
The Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry declared at a news conference in Abuja.
The Ad-Hoc Committee Chairman, who is also the Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, read the text of the news conference. All the panel members were in attendance.
Bamidele said: “We are also taking this task seriously with a view to addressing fundamental issues that pose grave threats to our economic prosperity, fiscal stability and public health as a federation.
“In line with our mandate, we will definitely unravel the roots of economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and make necessary recommendations that will entrench global best practices in the industry and open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors.
“We are utterly committed to this mandate. We shall also carry out this national assignment without fear or favour.
“We shall be fair and just to all parties with a view to promoting and protecting the strategic national interests of our fatherland.”
Members of the Committee are: Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Abdullahi Yahaya, Nohammed Monguno, Solomon Adeola, Diket Plang, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Khabeeb Mustapha, Adams Oshiomhole, Jonah Eteng, Adetokunbo Abiru, Osita Izunaso, Sahabi Ya’u Alhaji, Abdul Ningi and Ifeanyi Ubah.
The Ad-Hoc Committee said it would in due court invite various stakeholders in the sector for interrogation.
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Key among the stakeholders are the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) , the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
Others are the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission ( NUPRC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy, International Oil Companies ( IOCs), Dangote Group , Capital Oil, Modular Refineries, etc.