The House of Representatives has renewed its commitment to full energy reform, urging the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to overhaul the nation’s downstream petroleum sector to achieve efficiency in the sector.
Speaking on Monday at the First Annual Downstream Petroleum Week, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, said the energy sector holds the key to unlocking the nation’s economic growth and called for concerted efforts to reposition the entire industry.
The conference, held in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, brought together professionals, regulatory agencies, and industry leaders, including representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Dangote Group.
Despite spending over $18bn for the turnaround maintenance of state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri, Nigeria continues to rely on imported petroleum products, a challenge currently being addressed with the establishment of the Dangote Refinery.
A few months ago, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, hinted at the possible sale of the refineries, owing to their age and inability to meet the needs of energy consumers in the country.
He, however, revised himself, following criticisms mounted by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), chaired by Hon Odianosen Okojie.
Declaring the event open, Abbas described the conference as a significant step in the nation’s quest for energy sufficiency and sustainability, saying, “Nigeria is at a critical point in its drive for industrialisation. This conference could not have come at a better time.
“Our duty as legislators is to provide the policies and oversight that will strengthen the downstream sector for a more secure, efficient, and resilient economy.”
According to the Speaker, the success of the downstream sector is anchored on improved infrastructure, stable policy, and local investment, especially in Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Compressed Natural Gas facilities.
He called for actionable solutions to energy security gaps, pipeline insecurity, pricing fluctuations, and the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
“This maiden Annual Downstream Week reflects our commitment to evidence-based policymaking and stakeholder engagement. We expect innovative ideas that can transform our downstream sector and move our economy forward,” Abbas said.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the sector has, in the past few years, witnessed innovative changes which he said have rubbed off positively on the Nigerian economy.
He highlighted several ongoing projects across the country, including “The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, the Waltersmith Modular Refinery in Imo State, expanding from 5,000 to 50,000 barrels per day; the OPAC Refinery in Delta State and the Indorama Petrochemical expansion, which is already enhancing fertiliser production and gas utilisation.
“The transformation we are witnessing is born of courage, clarity, and innovation. Our downstream sector is now more open, efficient, and ready for investment. Nigeria must refine what it produces and consume what it refines.”
Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for enforcing the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation policy targeted at ensuring that local refineries have access to crude oil before export allocations are made.
“Progress must be matched with persistence. We must sustain investor confidence, create jobs, and strengthen our energy independence. This is how nations grow—by empowering local industries to produce, compete, and thrive.”
He urged labour unions to cooperate with the legislative and executive arms of government in their bid to revive the sector, adding that strikes have often done more harm than good.
“No reform can succeed without industrial harmony. While labour issues are inevitable, they must never be allowed to undermine productivity or national stability,” he cautioned.
He added that compliance with tax, safety, and environmental standards was not optional but a patriotic duty, even as he singled out the NMDPRA and NUPRC, among others, for praise for keeping the supply of petroleum products stable.
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