Nigerian Senate Postpones Petroleum Industry Sabotage Probe, Cites Need for Wider Consultations

• Sep 09, 2024

The Nigerian Senate has postponed its scheduled public hearing on allegations of sabotage in the country's petroleum industry. According to Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Majority Leader, the decision was made to allow for wider consultations with stakeholders whose inputs would add value to the conclusion of the investigative hearing.

Bamidele also cited "legislative demands aimed at deepening due diligence" in the conduct of the exercise as another reason for the postponement. The Senate ad-hoc committee on alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry had initially invited heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as well as stakeholders for an interactive session on August 7.

After the initial engagement, which also involved some private oil firms, the panel had subsequently scheduled the investigative hearing from September 10 to 12. However, the event has now been postponed following due consultation with committee members and key actors in the petroleum industry.

Explaining the rationale for the deferment, Bamidele said the prevailing realities in the country, which demand urgent interventions of stakeholders in the public and private sectors, also informed the resolve for the rescheduling. He stated that the decision was taken in the best interest of the federation and its teeming population.

"While we deeply regret all inconveniences it may have caused all the stakeholders collectively or individually, this decision was taken purely and solely in the national interest," the lawmaker said.

Bamidele assured that a new date for the public hearing would be communicated soon, emphasizing that the shift would allow the committee to take a comprehensive approach and find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the petroleum sector.

The postponement of the investigative hearing comes as a surprise, given the initial plans to conduct the probe. However, the Senate's decision to postpone the event in order to ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive approach suggests a commitment to addressing the allegations of sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry effectively.

As the country grapples with various challenges in the energy sector, the public will be keen to see the outcomes of the Senate's investigation and the implementation of any necessary reforms to safeguard the integrity of the industry.