The Joint Committee of the House of Representatives, tasked with a forensic investigation into issues impacting the downstream and midstream petroleum sectors, has initiated a probe into allegations regarding the importation of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria.
Committee Chairman Ikenga Ugochinyere announced this at the official inauguration of the panel in Abuja on Monday. The investigative panel will also examine claims related to the unavailability of crude oil to domestic refineries, disruptions in distribution, and favoritism within the pro forma invoice system, among other concerns.
Briefing newsmen at the event, Ugochinyere said, “The committee will conduct a legislative forensic investigation into the presence of middlemen in crude trading, indiscriminate issuance of licences and alleged unavailability of international standard laboratories to check adulterated products.”
He noted that the panel would also probe the possible influx of contaminated products into the country and “the allegation of non-domestication of profits realised from crude marketing sales in local banks, abuse of the PFI regime and importation of products already being produced in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the panel is set to visit petrol stations nationwide to take samples of their product for laboratory tests to ascertain their quality.
The mandate of the joint committee is sequel to the adoption of a motion on July 9, 2024, on the “Urgent need to carry out a legislative forensic investigation into the challenges affecting the downstream and midstream petroleum sectors in Nigeria and other related matters to find out a lasting solution to all challenges,” affecting the petroleum industry.
