Nigeria: Senate Panel Warns Petroleum Regulators Against Sabotage

What the report says

Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream has warned petroleum regulatory agencies not to undermine government policy or public confidence through poor administration, lack of transparency or inefficiency. The warning was delivered in Abuja on Thursday during the screening of nominees for executive director roles at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), according to Premium Times, which was republished by AllAfrica.

Committee chairman Kawu Sumaila said lawmakers would not accept conduct that could weaken regulatory institutions or frustrate implementation of the administration’s petroleum agenda. He also said regulators should look beyond enforcement and consider practical steps to reduce the burden of high fuel prices and wider economic hardship on Nigerians. The committee’s message came amid broader parliamentary concerns about alleged economic sabotage and failures in the oil sector.

The article said the Senate had previously set up an ad hoc inquiry into issues including importation of hazardous petroleum products, dumping of substandard diesel and the large sums spent on refineries without matching results. During the latest screening, the committee cleared several nominees for NMDPRA leadership positions by voice vote, including officials nominated for finance, distribution, safety, regulation, corporate services and legal advisory roles. Their confirmations still require consideration by the full Senate.