The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has stepped into the escalating dispute between President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), urging both sides to halt further public exchanges.
The committee has summoned Dangote and the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, for an emergency meeting, directing them to place their disagreement on hold pending legislative intervention.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the decision followed growing tension generated by allegations and counter-allegations between the businessman and the regulatory agency.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Ugochinyere warned that the dispute could undermine the fragile stability recently achieved in the downstream petroleum sector.
“The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting is the rising tension in the downstream sector following concerns raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA,” he said.
“This is happening at a time when the committee is carefully safeguarding the stability attained in the sector.”
Ugochinyere explained that the National Assembly could only broker lasting solutions by first identifying the root causes of the disagreement.
“We can only find sustainable solutions when we clearly understand the critical issues responsible for this tension. That is why the committee resolved to invite Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership to explain what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” he stated.
The committee chairman also appealed to both parties to refrain from media exchanges while the House carries out its intervention, cautioning that continued public commentary could further escalate the situation.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially in the media, so this matter does not worsen. The committee has the capacity to address these issues decisively,” he said.
Ugochinyere disclosed that the committee has already received petitions raising serious concerns within the industry, including the issuance of import licences and questions surrounding the ability of domestic refineries to meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs.
“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, while others concern whether local refineries can adequately satisfy national demand,” he said.
He assured that all outstanding matters would be thoroughly examined when Dangote, the NMDPRA and other key stakeholders appear before the committee.
“By the time all parties engage with the committee, we will gain clarity on what is happening and develop resolutions that provide sustainable solutions for the sector,” he added.
Reiterating the committee’s position, Ugochinyere urged all sides to suspend further accusations in the national interest.
“We are pleading with them to stop further attacks on one another, whether from the regulatory agency or the refining community, while the committee works to resolve these issues,” he said.
The intervention followed a renewed exchange between Dangote and Ahmed, after Dangote on Sunday accused the NMDPRA chief of economic sabotage and claimed he paid $5 million as tuition fees for Ahmed’s children.