The House of Reps has formed a new committee to investigate economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.
Ikenga Ugochinyere, the former ad-hoc chairman and current Chairman of the House Committee on Upstream Petroleum, is notably absent from the committee.
A few days ago, the House dissolved the previous ad-hoc committee.
House Of Reps Set-Up A Committee
That committee had been looking into issues like the importation of adulterated petroleum products and the lack of crude oil for domestic refineries.
The dissolution followed controversies since the committee’s formation.
The ad-hoc committee, led by Ugochinyere, had called for the dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
However, 50 lawmakers led by Billy Osawaru from Edo State opposed Kyari’s removal.
They argued that dismissing Kyari would violate parliamentary norms while an investigation was ongoing.
On Friday, Speaker of the House of Reps Abbas Tajudeen announced the new committee members.
He stressed the urgency and importance of the matter, highlighting the need for collaboration between the Senate and the House.
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Abbas stated: “The urgency and importance of this matter have necessitated close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives.”
Julius Ihonvbere, the House leader, will serve as Co-Chairman of the new committee.
Other committee members include Hon. Iduma Ighariwey, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, Hon. Sada Soli, Hon. Fatima Talba, Hon. Tunji Raheem, and Hon. Patrick Umoh.
House of Reps spokesman Rotimi Akin explained that the new committee structure aims for synergy and a holistic approach to addressing issues.
The structure also facilitates easier administrative coordination.
Akin said: “This new structure aims to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues.
And also ease administrative coordination, resulting in a harmonised and efficient investigation.”
He added: “The committee is expected to commence its duties immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.”
