The Senate ad hoc committee investigating alleged economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry has indefinitely postponed its public hearing originally scheduled for September 10 to 12.
The decision was announced late Sunday by the committee’s chair, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
According to Senator Bamidele, the postponement was made “purely and solely in the national interest” and cited “legislative exigencies aimed at further deepening due diligence” and the need for more extensive consultations. He assured all stakeholders that they would be duly informed in advance of the new schedule.
The committee, a 15-member panel inaugurated on July 22, 2024, was tasked with uncovering entities and practices that have detrimentally impacted the petroleum sector over the past decade.
Among its key objectives is to scrutinize the billions of dollars reportedly spent on the turnaround maintenance of refineries, an issue that has long plagued the industry with inefficiency and financial drain.
“We are committed to rescheduling the hearing at a later date,” Senator Bamidele said. “We regret any inconvenience caused to stakeholders, either collectively or individually.”
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The postponement has raised questions about the committee’s ability to meet its deadline and the impact on the petroleum sector. Stakeholders have expressed frustration with the delay, citing the need for urgent action to address the industry’s challenges.
“The petroleum sector is critical to Nigeria’s economy, and any delay in addressing its challenges will have far-reaching consequences,” said an industry expert. “We urge the committee to expedite its investigation and ensure that those responsible for the sector’s problems are held accountable.”
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