Minister Absent As Reps Probe Fuel Subsidy

Minister of state for petroleum, Timipreye Sylva, was absent yesterday as the House of Representatives commenced investigation into the payment of subsidy for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) between 2017- 2021.

Last month, the House adopted a motion calling for an investigation into the fuel subsidy regime between 2017-2021.

However, at the commencement of the probe, yesterday, Sylva, as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and some of the oil marketers were absent.

The speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, while declaring open a public hearing organised by the House Special Ad-hoc Committee probing petroleum product subsidy regime from 2017-2021, said about N4.9 trillion was spent on fuel subsidy in the period under review.

However, Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the deputy speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, expressed dismay over the absence of the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the investigative hearing.

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He stated that there was no excuse for the absence of the MDAs and other critical stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.

According to him, “I am expressing my displeasure by the attitude of stakeholders in the oil and gas industry that are supposed to be here. Nobody has any excuse not to be here, that shows lack of respect for constituted authority and I think we are not going to take it”.

The speaker charged the panel to ensure that it was thorough in its investigation and that there are no sacred cows.

The chairman of the panel, Ibrahim Al-Mustapha Aliyu, said it was unfortunate that some of the stakeholders in the oil and gas sector were treating the probe with levity.

Aliyu said, “This attitude is unfortunate, unacceptable, condemnable and undemocratic and an infraction on the separation of powers of the legislature in carrying out one of its legitimate functions of oversight. It’s more worrisome that this is happening during an era of change by the very people who should be in the Vanguard of the change mantra to this administration. But they are treating a matter such as this with levity and contempt.

“It is also a great concern to us that at the time when the country is undergoing a myriad of challenges especially the current queues and hike in petroleum and Diesel prices which this ad-hoc committee seeks to unveil, unravel and address. We are not here to blackmail or witch-hunt anybody but within the period under review, we are talking about 5 years to date, a lot has gone wrong. Nigerians are asking questions,” he said.

Consequently, the panel directed Sylva and the NNPC to appear before it on Wednesday week. The panel also directed the NNPC to submit details of all oil companies and other parties involved in the crude oil swap, direct sales and direct purchase agreement and fuel subsidy payment.