The House of Representatives has requested the suspension of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) pending thorough investigations into allegations against the Authority. This move follows a motion of urgent public importance raised by Honorable Esosa Iyawe regarding the need to address the outage caused by the NMDPRA boss’s remarks.
Hon. Iyawe highlighted the discrepancies in the Sulphur content of diesel products, citing a test supervised by House members that revealed Dangote’s diesel had a Sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, whereas other imported samples exceeded 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm. This contradicts the NMDPRA’s allegations and raises concerns about the Authority’s licensing practices.
Allegations have surfaced that the NMDPRA has been issuing licenses to traders who import high-Sulphur content diesel, posing health risks and financial losses for Nigerians. The NMDPRA Chief Executive’s statements, which have been disproven, sparked outrage among Nigerians who see the continued importation of fuel as economic sabotage.
The House’s request for suspension aims to facilitate an unbiased investigation into the allegations and ensure accountability. The motion emphasizes the need for transparency and integrity in the petroleum sector, particularly in the licensing and regulation of fuel imports.
The suspension request underscores the House’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerians and ensuring that the petroleum sector operates in a manner that prioritizes public health, safety, and economic well-being.
Babatunde A
LV