By Ayodele
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has summoned the management of Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) following escalating tensions between both parties.
The committee’s intervention comes amid concerns that the dispute could undermine the relative stability recently achieved in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said the lawmakers convened an emergency meeting to address what he described as growing tension capable of disrupting supply and regulatory harmony in the post-fuel subsidy era.
According to Ugochinyere, the committee resolved to invite Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, alongside the leadership of the NMDPRA, to clarify the issues behind the ongoing allegations and counter-allegations.
He explained that identifying the root causes of the disagreement is necessary for the National Assembly to develop lasting solutions that will protect the sector’s stability, ensure consistent fuel supply, and strengthen regulatory oversight.
The committee also appealed to both parties to suspend public exchanges and media statements while legislative efforts to resolve the matter are ongoing, warning that continued public disputes could worsen the situation.
Ugochinyere disclosed that the committee has received petitions touching on key industry concerns, including the issuance of import licences and the capacity of local refineries to meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs. These issues, he said, would be fully examined when all stakeholders appear before the committee.
He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to resolving the dispute in the national interest, stressing that cooperation among regulators and operators is critical to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry.