Senate constitutes committee to probe importation of adulterated gas by NNPC

The Senate on Wednesday constituted a 15-member committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the persistent importation of hazardous petroleum merchandise by the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company Restricted (NNPCL).

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, introduced the composition of the committee throughout the plenary.

He mentioned the committee will likely be chaired by the Senate Chief, Opeyemi Bamidele.

Different members are Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River), Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi), Tahir Monguno (Borno) Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun) Diket Plang (Plateau) and Abdul Ningi (Bauchi), Khabeeb Mustapha (Jigawa), Ipanibo Banigo (Rivers), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos), Osita Izunaso (Imo), Sahabi Ya’u (Zamfara), Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo) and Ekong Sampson (Akwa-Ibom).

The decision to research the importation of hazardous petroleum merchandise was sequel to a movement sponsored by Mr Ekpeyong .

The Senate and a movement

Mr Ekpeyong, in his movement, expressed displeasure with the persistent importation of adulterated gas into the nation.

The senator mentioned 12 cargoes conveying a complete of 660kt of diesel have been exported by refineries to offshore Lome, Togo, Nigeria and a few West African nations on 16 June.

He famous that the mentioned petroleum merchandise are under the usual high quality of Nigeria and have been circulated throughout the markets.

“On sixteenth of June, 2024, it was reported that 12 diesel cargoes, conveying a complete of 660kt of diesel was exported by refineries to offshore Lome, Togo for additional distribution to West African markets, primarily Nigeria.”

The senator mentioned despite the substandard nature of the diesel, it nonetheless discovered its means into the Nigerian markets on Mt “Kalle” which arrived Lome on the 16 of June, which instantly did ship-to-ship (STS) switch to DV MT after which proceeded to discharge right into a jetty in Warri on 21% June, 2024.

Mr Ekpeyong warned towards the implications of adulterated gas on automobiles and mills.

He known as for a complete ban of importation of diesel and improvement of native refineries.

Senate launches probe

The Senate Whip, Ali Ndume, expressed concern that Nigeria is importing adulterated petroleum merchandise from Russia for the advantage of personal people regardless of the existence of native refineries.

Mr Ndume urged the federal authorities to make sure that refineries are productive.

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Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) mentioned it was essential to assessment the Petroleum Industrial Act which, in line with him, gave many powers to people.

Mr Musa complained that Nigeria has but to see any important funding within the oil and fuel sector for the reason that PIA in comparison with Ghana which had attracted as much as $12 billion.

Responding, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, mentioned the higher chamber will take into account amending the PIA with a purpose to confer extra powers to the NNPCL to make sure efficient regulation.

Mr Akpabio regretted that Nigeria has but to make its refineries useful.

The senate president thereafter constituted a committee to look into the difficulty.