The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has dismissed petitions calling for the suspension of the boards of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The decision followed an extensive committee meeting in which several pressing issues were reviewed.  Among them is the state of Nigeria’s refineries, which the committee resolved to investigate particularly in light of proposed sales following substantial investments in their Turn around Maintenance.

Committee Chairman, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, announced the setting up of ten technical subcommittees to examine a wide range of concerns, including Allegations of Dangote Refinery’s planned takeover of petroleum product transportation and retailing Petitions from modular refinery operators over lack of feedstock supply Strengthening small modular refineries and Proposed amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to empower the NMDPRA and bolster the downstream sector

The committee will also address ongoing issues related to the continued importation of fuel, complaints by labour unions over fears of monopoly, the OVH acquisition, and concerns raised by NNPC retail outlets. Ugochinyere reiterated the committee’s commitment to transparency and industry reform, promising that all issues before it would be thoroughly investigated.