Senate Delays Public Hearing On Petroleum Sector Probe Indefinitely

Senate Delays Public Hearing On Petroleum Sector Probe Indefinitely

The Senate ad hoc committee, established to investigate economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, has postponed its public hearing, initially scheduled for September 10 to 12, indefinitely. The announcement was made late Sunday by the committee’s chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).

This 15-member committee, inaugurated on July 22, 2024, was tasked with investigating issues affecting the petroleum sector over the last decade. One of its main goals is to examine the billions of dollars reportedly spent on the turnaround maintenance of refineries, an issue that has long plagued the industry with inefficiencies and financial mismanagement.

Senator Bamidele cited “legislative exigencies aimed at further deepening due diligence” and the need for more consultations as reasons for the postponement. He emphasized the committee’s commitment to rescheduling the hearing at a later date and assured stakeholders that they would be notified in advance of the new timeline.

The senator stressed that the decision to postpone was made “purely and solely in the national interest.” He also expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to the stakeholders involved in the investigation.