POLITICS
Reps Probe Non-availability of Crude Oil Supply to Domestic Refineries
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives, on Monday, commenced a forensic investigation into the alleged production and importation of substandard/ adulterated petroleum products, as well as the non-availability of crude oil supply to Dangote and all other domestic refineries.
Delivering a keynote address at the inauguration of the joint Committees on Petroleum Midstream and Downstream, in Abuja, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas tasked Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum.
Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) on the need to “guarantee that all petrol imported into this country is rigorously tested in laboratories to meet the standard sulphur and octane levels.
Abbas who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu urged the Committee on the need to stand on the side of Nigerians who are suffering and want results by protecting their interests, rather than the interest of any other parties.
Speaker Abbas also harped on the need to address the issue of infrastructure for quality assurance that enables robust testing of petroleum products with the standard practice for manual sampling fully adhered to, just as he urged the Committee to carry out investigations on the quality and the number of laboratories that both the NMDPRA and SON have or use for their tests and return with actionable feedback.
In his remarks, Lead Chairman of the joint Committee on Midstream & Downstream, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere explained that the Committee was mandated to ‘carry out a legislative forensic investigation into the resurgence of fuel queues in petrol stations, allegations of high cost of PMS, unavailability of fuel stock for downstream domestic refineries, disruption of distribution of PMS products, unfair subsidization of PMS and other petroleum products, racketeering and favouritism in the Pro Forma Invoice System regime.’
While reeling out the joint Committees’ itinerary, Ugochinyere said: “Our investigation will proceed in phases, beginning with the investigation of allegation of alleged production and importation of Substandard Petroleum Products and the non-availability of Crude Oil to Domestic Refineries.
According to him, some of the stakeholders to be engaged by the joint Committees are: regulatory bodies, State Oil Companies, Petroleum Products Refining Companies, IPMAN, PETROAN, independent oil producers, international oil companies (IOCs), importers, marketers, depot owners, among others.
Ugochinyere who reiterated the 10th Assembly’s resolve towards ensuring the integrity and security of Nigeria’s petroleum sector, applauded the House leadership for its “desire and unstoppable drive to see a competitive, efficient, transparent and sustainable Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources sector that will be the foundation for advanced economic revolution that will help solve our present challenges in line with the Federal Govt Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He pledged the Committee’s resolve towards ending the menace of indiscriminate issuance of licenses and importation of refined petroleum products, alleged return of PMS price intervention, allegation of product unavailability to marketers from NNPC Retail, endless shifting of timelines for refinery rehabilitation, and the nefarious activities at petrol depots.
According to him, the committee will also conduct ‘A legislative forensic investigation into the presence of middlemen in crude trading, indiscriminate issuance of licenses, alleged unavailability of Intl standard laboratories to check adulterated products, influx of contaminated products into the country, the allegation of non-domestication of profits realized from crude marketing sales in local banks, abuse of the PFI regime, importation of products already being produced in Nigeria and use of international trading companies to resell fuel stock to local refineries at high mark up prices.
The joint committees are also posted towards carrying out a legislative forensic investigation into the allegation of importation of substandard products and high-sulphur diesel into Nigeria, the alleged production of substandard diesel and other petroleum products by some domestic producers, alleged anomalies in the importation and distribution of pms by the state oil company, the economic viability of the alleged sale of petroleum products below fair market value and its impact on downstream and local refineries and revenue generation as well as the source of funds for such price interventions, quantity imported, amount spent and why the products are still high in the retailing market, the alleged failure of some of the regulators to enforce compliance on standards; the lack of support to local crude refiners, issuance of import license, despite local production.
He also pledged the Committee’s resolve to ensure “a thorough and transparent investigation, the committee will undertake detailed laboratory investigations at all local refineries, marketers, and Importers facilities, and regulatory agencies, State Oil Company and other players in the sector.
“We will visit various filling stations, depots, and tank farms to take samples in line with intl standards, verify the quality of imported products, and assess the testing capacities of all refineries and all refined product handling outfits. The collection of samples will be done transparently and in line with global best practices and will be in 4 specimens for independent testing in a different standard, accredited Laboratory including that of all stakeholders involved in refining and importation of refined petroleum products.
“The committee will select different locations, including filling stations, depots and even currently discharging ships. Samples shall be taken in the presence of Representatives of NMDPRA, refinery representatives, Marketers/Importers, and the Committee. After collection, the samples will be tested jointly and also independently by the committee and the stakeholders to ascertain the contents.
Components to be tested for as listed as follows: Sulfur Content, Density, Distillation, Flash Point, Octane number (for gasoline), and Cetane number (for diesel).
He also unveiled the joint Committee plans to inaugurate Zonal interaction Committees to ensure swift movement to different parts of the country to interact with stakeholders and take samples from stakeholders/facilities such as depots, farm tanks, filling stations, and refineries, for immediate laboratory analysis.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its commitment to an inclusive electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, stated this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a training programme for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tella noted that persons with one form of disability or another constitute an important segment of the society.
He said such individuals are citizens with equal rights, responsibilities, aspirations and contributions to make towards the development of the country.
He said: “The commission recognises that electoral inclusion goes beyond permitting PWDs to register and vote.
“It also involves ensuring that they have access to reliable electoral information, understand electoral procedures, can access polling units and are able to participate in other aspects of the electoral process.”
Tella said the commission would provide relevant assistive devices such as magnifying glasses, Braille guides and posters for voters with hearing impairments at polling units to give Persons with Disabilities a more pleasant voting experience on election days.
He added that INEC guidelines and regulations provide that priority should be accorded to PWDs at polling units without them having to wait in long queues during voting.
He further said that eligible PWDs would be engaged and trained as ad-hoc staff during the elections.
The REC explained that the objective of the commission was to ensure that eligible PWDs in the state were not discouraged, excluded or prevented by avoidable barriers from exercising their franchise during the elections.
He further asserted that “democracy is stronger when every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to participate in shaping its future.”
He urged PWDs across the state to cooperate with the commission to remove avoidable barriers, promote electoral awareness and encourage peaceful participation.
The state Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Oluwaranti Abiodun, commended INEC for giving special consideration to PWDs ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Abiodun urged the electoral body to give priority to the plights of Persons with Disabilities when planning its activities towards the conduct of the elections.
He demanded that more consideration should be given to eligible PWDs who are interested in working as ad-hoc staff.
He also called on members of the association to support INEC and be ready to perform their civic responsibilities during the 2027 elections. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that governance will not take a backseat to electioneering ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Wednesday while inaugurating the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) at the State House, Abuja.
He said the responsibilities of his office would continue uninterrupted, stressing that the country required sustained attention to its pressing national priorities.
“The responsibility of this office does not pause,” the president declared.
Tinubu said he would continue engaging Nigerians on his administration’s achievements and development agenda but would leave the Council to coordinate campaign activities across states and local government areas.
“I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas.
“So you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay,” he said.
The President said the government had financial obligations to meet and needed to attract investors to support the country’s economic growth and future development.
“The job must go on. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait. We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children,” Tinubu said.
He declared the APC ready for the 2027 elections, describing the inauguration as a renewal of the party’s commitment to Nigerians and its responsibilities as the governing party.
“The APC is ready. We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council.
“We have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party.
“We promise we will not let them down,” he said.
Tinubu urged members of the Council to take the party’s vision, record of achievements and development agenda to Nigerians across the country, including communities and wards.
“Let the word go out from this hall to every corner of our nation. The APC is ready.
He charged party members to remain steadfast in nation-building, citing his record as Lagos governor, when he spearheaded measures to tackle the looming threat of Atlantic Ocean flooding.
“There is no limit to daring. You must dare, you must be determined,” he said.
The President also cautioned APC governors, lawmakers and other party leaders against taking previous electoral efforts for granted, urging them to demonstrate commitment ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event was witnessed by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abass, governors, top politicians, and APC youth and women groups, among other dignitaries.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council, led by Director-General Sen. Abdulaziz Yari, is set to kick off its presidential campaign in Kaduna on October 24. (NAN)
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he will not allow political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections to distract him from governing the country, stressing that national responsibilities must remain a priority.
Tinubu stated this on Wednesday while inaugurating the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
He said the responsibility of running the country would continue regardless of campaign activities, adding that he would focus on governance while party leaders and campaign officials coordinate the APC’s activities across the country.
“The responsibility of this office does not pause,” the President declared.
Tinubu said he would still make time to address Nigerians on his administration’s achievements and plans, but would not be able to attend every campaign engagement across the states and local government areas.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. So you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay,” he said.
The President also declared the APC ready for the 2027 elections, describing the inauguration of the Campaign Council as an opportunity for the party to renew its commitment to Nigerians.
He said the party’s responsibility went beyond setting up a campaign structure, noting that it must remain mindful of the trust Nigerians had placed in it as the ruling party.
“The APC is ready. We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council. We have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party. We promise we will not let them down,” Tinubu said.
He charged members of the council to take the party’s message, its record and development agenda to Nigerians across the country.
The President urged them to ensure that the APC’s campaign reaches communities and wards nationwide as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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