From Premium Times Nigeria · Abdulqudus Ogundapo · · 2m
Senate summons oil agencies over petrol import records
Senate panel demands NMDPRA, NNPC, NEITI explain petrol import discrepancies.
In brief
Senate panel demands NMDPRA, NNPC, NEITI explain petrol import discrepancies. Senate committee ordered NMDPRA, NNPCL and NEITI to resolve significant differences in 2022-2023 petrol import records. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Senate panel summons
Senate Committee on Public Accounts resolved to summon NMDPRA, NNPC, NEITI heads over discrepancies in petrol import records.
Organisations involved
The organisations are the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
Chairperson announcement
Committee chairperson Ibrahim Dankwambo announced the resolution after NMDPRA appeared before the panel to respond to queries in NEITI’s Oil and Gas Industry Audit Report.
Discrepancies in records
NMDPRA recorded 3.29 billion litres of PMS imports in 2022 and 6.02 billion litres in 2:2023, differing significantly from NNPCL’s 6.27 billion litres and 3.88 billion litres for the same years.
NMDPRA’s explanation
Ms Ugwu-Ojobe maintained that NMDPRA’s figures were credible despite the discrepancies, stating they stand by 3.29 billion litres for 2022 and 6.02 billion litres for 2023.
Committee’s skepticism
Committee members questioned how two government agencies could maintain such divergent records of fuel imports, expressing dissatisfaction with the significant differences.
Abdul Ningi’s stance
![National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official X handle of Mr Ribadu | https://x.com/NuhuRibadu/status/1706387205881581715?s=20]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2024/02/Nuhu-Ribadu-NSA.jpg?w=1883&ssl=1)
Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) rejected the characterisation of discrepancies as slight, arguing they required thorough investigation to address.
Francis Faduyile’s concern
Francis Faduyile (APC, Ondo South) said the discrepancies suggested further clarification was necessary to establish the reliability of the figures.
Anietan Bassey’s call
Anietan Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom North-east) called for a comprehensive investigation to determine reasons for differences and identify those responsible if wrongdoing was established.
Committee’s resolution
The committee rejected NMDPRA’s explanation and resolved to summon the heads of the three agencies for a joint meeting to clarify the conflicting records.
Purpose of meeting
The proposed meeting is expected to clarify the conflicting records and establish whether discrepancies arose from reporting methods or other factors requiring further investigation.
Context of concerns
The committee’s resolution comes amid concerns about the reliability of official records on petroleum imports and the need to strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The one thing
Senate committee ordered NMDPRA, NNPCL and NEITI to resolve significant differences in 2022-2023 petrol import records.
