SENATE CALLS FOR PROBE INTO ALLEGED IMPORTATION OF SUBSTANDARD PETROLEUM PRODUCTS INTO NIGERIA

Senate Probes Alleged Importation of Substandard Diesels Into Nigeria

The Nigerian Senate has raised an alarm over the influx of substandard Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel into the Nigerian market.

The Red Chamber also directed its relevant committees to investigate the continued importation of hazardous petroleum products, and dumping of substandard diesel into the country. 

The probe, which was raised as a matter of urgent public importance, followed a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong on Wednesday.

Ekpeyong said that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has continued to issue import licences for diesel and jet, despite sufficient local production capacity.

    Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong-Cross River South

As the lawmakers expressed anger over what they described as sabotage and a clear failure of the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act, the Upper Chamber asserted that those found culpable in the illicit act must face the wrath of the law.

          Sen. Adams Oshiomhole-Edo North 

          Sen. Abdul Ningi-Bauchi South 

In his remarks, resident of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio corroborated views by other lawmakers, that the issues raised within the PIA should be reviewed, not as an act of witch-hunting anyone, but to set the records straight.

        Sen. Godswil Akpabio-Senate President 

The panel to investigate the allegation, chaired by the Senate leader, Bamidele Opeyemi has been given three weeks to report back to the Senate in plenary for further legislative input.