SENATE Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has announced that the investigation into alleged economic sabotage within the petroleum sector, previously being handled by separate ad-hoc committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, will now be conducted jointly by both chambers.
This was revealed in a statement signed by Senator Bamidele, who also chairs the investigative ad-hoc committee. He said: “As we fully resume parliamentary sessions this Tuesday, the National Assembly will unequivocally revisit its resolve to address the challenges facing the petroleum industry.”
The statement highlighted several issues affecting the industry’s performance, including crude oil theft, the prolonged maintenance of public refineries, the importation of substandard petroleum products, and disruptions in fuel supply.
Contrary to some media reports, Senator Bamidele clarified that the Senate had not suspended its Ad-hoc Committee on the Investigation of Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Petroleum Industry, but had merely postponed the public hearing to address issues related to National Assembly rules.
He explained that both chambers of the National Assembly are expected to resolve these matters and possibly form a joint committee to continue the investigation from where the ad-hoc committee left off.
“We are committed to uncovering the causes of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry for the national interest and to establish institutional mechanisms that will enhance the industry’s efficiency and functionality,” Bamidele added.
He further mentioned that both chambers are awaiting the new Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) from the Executive, which are crucial for the preparation, review, and approval of the annual budget.
“The consideration of the MTEF is a top priority on our legislative agenda,” he stated. “This is because the MTEF must be finalized before the 2025 Appropriation Bill can be presented to the National Assembly.”
Additionally, Bamidele noted that the Senate is focused on reviewing the 1999 Constitution, with the Constitution Review Committee led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.
“In the coming weeks, the committee will hold retreats and strategy sessions, call for memoranda, and organize zonal meetings to discuss sections of the constitution that may require amendments. Given the qualifications of its members, this exercise promises to adopt a truly federative approach, which will reshape public governance in the country,” he concluded.
