on Turn Around Maintenance of Government owned Oil Refineries, Senator Sumaila Kawu, (NNPP, Kano South) has promised that his committe would tackle the perennial sharp practices in the oil sector.
Kawu, who was also recently appointed the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, accused those in charge of the oil sector, particularly the refineries, of running the government establishments like a cabal.
He was appointed the Chairman of the Committee on Downstream, following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South in the 9th and 10th Senate, before his demise on July 27, 2024.
Kawu disclosed his plans to comprehensively hihlight the sector’s operations and engage the public in meaningful dialogue, stressing that with the rising fuel prices impacting Nigerians daily, there was the urgent need for clarity and accountability within the industry.
He said: “Our first step will be to study the current situation and gather information from relevant agencies. First of all, we will study the situation and we will get the information from relevant agencies to see what we can do.
“Nigerians are facing serious challenge. Nigerians are not happy, and the government on their own part keeps telling us that we will soon go out from these challenges.
“Therefore, there is need for us to put our heads together with all relevant stakeholders, at least to know where we are.
“This time around, we want to do even a public hearing. Let Nigerians come and ask questions or make their own input on these refineries.
“There is one thing which we understand which we must, in any way, let Nigerians know.
“They are running the agency like a cabal. Nobody knows what is going on. Therefore, there is a need for Nigeria at least to know what is going on there, which we will do our own best to shed light on.”
He also stressed on the importance of holding public hearings, which would allow citizens to voice their concerns and experiences directly, assuring that his Committee would focus specifically on reviewing contracts awarded by previous administrations and overseeing the current contracts for refinery repairs.
Kawu stated that by beaming searchlight on the agreements, the Ad-hoc Committee would expose any irregularities and ensure that funds were being used effectively, saying: “We need to ask the hard questions and hold a public hearing to allow Nigerians to express their views.”
The politician promised to engage with stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and refinery operators, to understand the barriers to efficient production and accountability.
He said the recent visits to the refineries by the joint Adhoc Committee on the National Assembly had provided concerns about production timelines, prompting a call for a more rigorous evaluation of the situation.
The lawmaker said that the Committee would focus on a culture of openness within the sector, assuring that he would use the Committee to dismantle the “cabal-like” operations that have characterised the industry, saying that decision-making processes must be made accessible and understandable to the public.
Kawu expressed determination to implement measures that would stabilise the petroleum sector and address the legitimate concerns of Nigerians, expressing optimism that confidence would be restored in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.