In a high-stakes session on Wednesday, the Senate Adhoc committee, chaired by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, intensified its investigation into alleged economic sabotage within Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, and Minister of Petroleum Oil Heineken Lokpobiri were subjected to rigorous questioning as part of the comprehensive probe.
Senator Bamidele set a resolute tone, declaring that the investigation would brook no grandstanding, and emphasized that all officials, regardless of their positions, would be held to stringent scrutiny. The committee’s mandate includes assessing the compliance of the NNPCL’s Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangements with the Petroleum Industry Act. Additionally, the investigation aims to uncover the extent of transparency and accountability in these schemes, which are crucial for the nation’s economic stability.
During the session, critical issues were raised concerning the management and operations of the petroleum sector. The committee is particularly focused on potential discrepancies and malpractices in the DSDP arrangements, which have significant implications for Nigeria’s economy. The NNPCL’s adherence to regulatory frameworks and its operational transparency are under the microscope as the committee seeks to ensure that the nation’s oil resources are managed effectively and ethically.
The appearance of such high-profile figures before the committee underscores the gravity of the allegations and the Senate’s determination to address any instances of economic sabotage. This investigation is a pivotal step in ensuring that Nigeria’s petroleum sector operates with the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
Source: Channels Tv
