The Nigerian Senate has postponed the public hearing on the alleged sabotage in the petroleum sector, citing the need for broader consultations with stakeholders. The hearing, initially scheduled for September 10-12, 2024, will now take place at a later date to be announced.
According to Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged economic sabotage, the decision was made to ensure thorough due diligence in the investigative process. The committee aims to engage a broader range of stakeholders, including those from the petroleum industry and beyond, to provide a comprehensive perspective on the issues.
The public hearing seeks to address concerns over the substantial expenditures associated with maintaining the nation’s refineries, overpayments made by regulatory agencies to transporters, and the alleged importation of hazardous petroleum products and dumping of substandard diesel in the country.
Key stakeholders summoned to participate in the public hearing include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representatives from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Ports Authority, among others.
The Senate’s decision to delay the public hearing comes amid appeals from the Nigeria Labour Congress to reverse the recent increase in petrol prices, which they described as an “assault on workers’ wellbeing and a breach of contract.”
The development highlights the complex issues surrounding the petroleum sector in Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for sustainable solutions to address the challenges facing the industry.
