The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has pledged to step in and address the ongoing dispute between the Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Chairman of the committee, Ikenga Ugochinyere, told newsmen that the lawmakers were determined to mediate in the issue and bring the parties involved to the table.
The resolution follows the end of a three-day retreat in Lagos, where lawmakers, industry players and regulators deliberated on pressing issues facing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
He stated that the panel would not allow disputes between major investors and unions to derail operations or undermine the quest for energy security.
Ugochinyere said, “Our priority is to deliver real reforms that guarantee efficiency, fairness and competitiveness across the board. We are going to step in to ensure that no stakeholder feels sidelined or shortchanged.”
The retreat also reviewed ongoing challenges facing local refineries, particularly their difficulties in securing a reliable crude supply.
Lawmakers called for greater transparency in the allocation and pricing of crude oil to ensure that both state-owned and modular refineries can operate sustainably.
On the lingering controversy surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) acquisition of OVH Energy’s downstream assets, Ugochinyere confirmed that the committee’s reinvestigation was already at an advanced stage, stressing that the fresh probe was distinct from the earlier inquiry, which was rejected on the floor of the House.
Ugochinyere explained that while some stakeholders had failed to submit critical documents, the committee had resolved to move forward regardless, noting that the House mandate must be carried out in full.
