23 hours ago
2
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has stepped into the escalating dispute between the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and called on both sides to suspend further public attacks.
The committee summoned Dangote and the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, for an emergency meeting and urged them to place their disagreement on hold pending legislative intervention.
Chairman of the committee, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the decision to summon the parties was informed by the growing tension generated by allegations and counter-allegations between Dangote and the regulatory agency.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Ugochinyere expressed concern that the dispute could undermine the fragile stability recently achieved in the downstream petroleum sector.
“The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the rising tension in the downstream sector following concerns raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA.
“This is happening at a time when the committee is carefully safeguarding the stability attained in the sector.”
He explained that the National Assembly could only broker lasting solutions by first understanding the root causes of the disagreement.
“We can only find sustainable solutions when we clearly identify the critical issues responsible for this tension. That is why the committee resolved to invite Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership to explain what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” Ugochinyere stated.
The committee chairman also appealed to both parties to refrain from media exchanges while the House conducts its intervention, warning that continued public commentary could worsen the situation.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially in the media, so the matter does not escalate further. The committee has the capacity to address these issues decisively,” he added.
Ugochinyere disclosed that the committee has already received petitions raising critical concerns in the industry, including the issuance of import licences and questions over whether domestic refineries can meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum requirements.
“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, while others concern the ability of local refineries to satisfy national demand,” he said.
He assured that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined when Dangote, the NMDPRA and other key stakeholders appear before the committee.
“By the time all parties engage with the committee, we will get a clearer picture of what is happening and develop resolutions that offer sustainable solutions for the sector,” he said.
Reiterating the committee’s appeal, Ugochinyere urged all parties to suspend further accusations in the national interest.
“We are pleading with them to cease further attacks on one another, whether from the regulatory agency or the refining community, while the committee works to resolve these issues,” he added.
DAILY POST reports that Dangote and Ahmed resumed their feud after the former on Sunday accused the latter of economic sabotage and claimed that he paid $5 million as tuition fees for his children. .
$5m tuition: Cease further attacks – Reps tell Dangote on feud with NMDPRA CEO, Ahmed
