By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The leadership of the House of Representatives has announced the dissolution of the current ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committees, which were established to investigate critical issues in the oil and gas sector amidst controversies.

The joint Ad-Hoc committees were mandated to investigate issues concerning the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other energy security concerns.

According to a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep Akin Rotimi, the new ad-hoc committee will be constituted to take over the mandate of the dissolved committee, with a focus on ensuring a thorough and independent investigation.

Vanguard had reported a group of at least 50 members of the House of Representatives who recently said that the call for the removal of the heads of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) was premature.

The lawmakers, under the aegis of Concerned Members of the 10th Assembly had emphasized the need for fair hearing stating that parties in investigation had the right to fair hearing, adding that the investigation by the joint ad- hoc committees on Midstream and Downstream were not concluded therefore call for the removal of NNPC and NMDPRA boss were premature.

The law makers in a statement said
“Nigerians will recall that the hike in fuel prices and associated challenges are fundamental concerns. The House of Representatives, via its resolution, mandated the Joint Committee of the House on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum to investigate the issues in the oil and gas sector. We are aware that the investigation is ongoing and a final decision has not been reached.

“However, our attention has been drawn to some media reports calling for the removal of the group chief executive officer of the NNPCL and the chief executive officer of NMDPRA while the above investigation is still subsisting. We wish to state that it is in the parliamentary culture to afford parties in investigation the right for fair hearing. Therefore, the call for removal of anyone while investigation is pending is premature.

However the statement by the House spokesperson Rep Akin Rotimi says that the new committee will comprise members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity.

“The House of Representatives remains committed to addressing the vital issues in the oil and gas sector and ensuring effective oversight.

” Further details on the operations of the new committee will be announced in due course,” the statement reads.