REPS COMMITTEE VOWS TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL REFINERIES THROUGH NEW LAWS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has pledged to pursue legislative reforms to strengthen local refineries and improve Nigeria’s energy security.
The committee chairman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, disclosed this during a technical briefing in Abuja, where he said lawmakers would seek amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act to strengthen crude oil supply to domestic refineries, protect local refiners and regulate petroleum imports.
Ugochinyere said Nigeria must retain control over its energy policies, adding that the committee had rejected a World Bank recommendation on import licences.
He also disclosed that the committee had begun investigating allegations of crude oil underpayment by some companies and questioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited over legacy transactions and refinery rehabilitation.
The committee has also established subcommittees to investigate petitions involving gas distribution licences held by NIPCO Plc and allegations of money laundering and abuse of office against a senior NNPC executive.
Ugochinyere called for increased funding for pipeline surveillance, saying improved security and operational support were necessary to sustain crude oil production and help the country achieve its target of three million barrels per day.
The committee said the proposed reforms and investigations were aimed at improving transparency, strengthening domestic refining and enhancing Nigeria’s energy security.