Reps unveil committee to check oil theft

The House of Representatives has established a new committee to investigate economic sabotage within the petroleum sector.

Notably absent from the list of committee members is Ikenga Ugochinyere, the former ad-hoc chairman and current Chairman of the House Committee on Upstream Petroleum.

A few days ago, the House dissolved the previous ad-hoc committee, which had been investigating issues related to the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security concerns.

The decision to dissolve the committee followed several controversies since its inauguration.

The previous ad-hoc committee, led by Ugochinyere, had called for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mele Kyari.

In contrast, a group of 50 lawmakers, led by Billy Osawaru (Edo State), argued against Kyari’s removal, asserting that such action would go against parliamentary norms while an investigation is ongoing.

When announcing the members of the newly constituted committee on Friday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, emphasised the urgency and importance of the matter, highlighting the necessity for close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Abbas said, “The urgency and importance of this matter have necessitated close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

The leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, was named Co-Chairman of the committee.

Other members include Hon. Iduma Ighariwey, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, Hon. Sada Soli, Hon. Fatima Talba, Hon. Tunji Raheem, and Hon. Patrick Umoh.

The House spokesman, Rotimi Akin, stated that the new committee structure is designed to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues, and ease of administrative coordination.

He added that the committee is expected to begin its work immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.

Akin said, “This new structure aims to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues, and ease of administrative coordination, resulting in a harmonised and efficient investigation.

“The committee is expected to commence its duties immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.”