Senate, House team up for groundbreaking oil industry investigation

The Senate has reconstituted its ad-hoc committee to investigate alleged economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, countering speculation that certain stakeholders were attempting to halt the probe.

During Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I. Jubrin, the Senate communicated its decision to the House of Representatives to launch a comprehensive, joint investigation aimed at reforming the sector.

The motion for the joint probe was moved by Senate Leader and Committee Chair Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who stressed the need for cooperation between the two chambers to avoid duplication.

In his motion, Bamidele highlighted the House’s recent resolution to create a similar committee, calling for a collaborative “National Assembly Joint Ad-Hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry.”

The Senate adopted this title for the reconstituted committee and will inform the House of Representatives to select an equal number of members to participate.

Senator Bamidele will continue as chair of the joint committee, which includes Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Yahaya Abdullahi, Mohammed Monguno, Solomon Olamilekan, and other notable lawmakers.

This body will work closely with key stakeholders in the petroleum industry, focusing on solutions to systemic issues affecting Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

This reconstitution follows the Senate’s initial debate on July 3, 2024, over concerns about hazardous petroleum imports and substandard diesel dumping in Nigeria, led by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.

By July 11, the Senate had titled the body the “Ad-Hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Economic Sabotage,” a focus that now expands to encompass joint efforts with the House to tackle complex industry challenges.

The joint committee is expected to be formally inaugurated by the presiding officers of both chambers, marking a coordinated legislative effort to address long-standing issues in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.