The house of representatives joint committee on petroleum resources has asked Dangote refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to appear to address disputes affecting the downstream oil sector.
On Sunday, Dangote had alleged that Ahmed Farouk, the CEO of NMDPRA, “paid $5 million” to a Swiss secondary school for his children’s education, describing the act as “economic sabotage and corruption”.
He also accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of petroleum product import licences.
Following an emergency meeting held in Abuja, Ikenga Ugochinyere, committee chairman, warned that the growing disagreements could threaten the fragile stability recently recorded in the sector.
Ugochinyere said urgent legislative intervention was required as Nigeria continues efforts to stabilise fuel supply, pricing and regulation in ...-subsidy era.
“The key issue is the renewed tension arising from concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA,” he said.
“We are guarding hard-won stability; sustainable solutions require identifying critical issues, hence our invitation to Dangote and the NMDPRA leadership.”
Ugochinyere said the committee had received petitions relating to the issuance of import licences.
He said the submissions also questioned whether local refineries could adequately meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum consumption.
The lawmaker said all unresolved concerns would be scrutinised when refinery operators and regulators appear before the committee.
In a paid newspaper advert on Tuesday, the billionaire said Ahmed paid the said amount for four of his children, covering a period of six years.
Dangoted also presented estimated annual tuition, living expenses, air travel, and upkeep, which were multiplied across four children and several years of study.