Lagos – Mr Dakuku Peterside, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the report of the subsidy probe, “will not be swept under the carpet”.

Peterside, representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Rivers said in  Lagos that the caliber of legislators involved in the probe would not allow their names to be dragged in the mud.

“I can say categorically that when the investigation is concluded, we are going to ensure that the report is not swept under the carpet.

“Many people have their reputation at stake, we cannot scarifice our reputation for anybody.’’

The chairman said that the alleged corruption trailing the management of fuel subsidy was not good for the country’s image.

“There is need for a thorough investigation so as to identify the culprits and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent to others.’’

Peterside also commented on the license renewal of Exxon Mobil oil blocs, saying that every agreement has its own clauses and peculiarity.

“If the House of Representatives finds that the agreement did not follow due process, it can still revoke it.

“No corporate body or individual is above the law. At anytime, the law will take its due course when it finds out any discrepancy.

“For many years, nobody is making investment in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

“You know we cannot wait forever. We need to balance our national interest with the economic reality and strike a balance.

“We must get the money to run the government, to run the services and to grow our industries.

“It should not be until we agitate for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill that the government can run the economy efficiently.’’ (NAN)