18
Dec
Dec
DEMAND FOR FULL INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER PETROLEUM REGULATOR’S TENURE INTENSIFIES
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 months
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- 3 min read
The Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations have issued a strong reaction to the resignation of the former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Engr. Farouk Ahmed. The groups are demanding an immediate, full-scale, and independent investigation into the regulatory activities carried out under his tenure. In a joint statement signed by Comrade James Ezema of the CNPP and Alhaji Ali Abacha of the CNCSOs, the coalition stated unequivocally that the resignation must not end public scrutiny. They declared that the resignation, rather than close the case, “must open the door to a comprehensive forensic probe into the operations, decisions, approvals, and enforcement failures of the Authority, particularly as they relate to the quality of imported refined petroleum products into Nigeria.” The groups expressed grave concern over the “persistent and widespread circulation of substandard imported petrol and diesel dispensed daily to Nigerian motorists,” despite Nigeria being bound by the ECOWAS Directive C/DIR.1/9/2020 on Harmonised Specifications for Motor Fuels, which came into force in January 2021. “Our intelligence network has gathered disturbing information indicating high levels of compromise within the NMDPRA during the tenure of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, which allegedly enabled the continued importation, approval, and distribution of low-quality refined petroleum products that fall below ECOWAS harmonised standards. This failure has not only damaged vehicle engines, increased maintenance costs, and worsened environmental pollution, but has also amounted to an economic and public safety assault on millions of Nigerians,” the groups said. The statement also highlighted deep concern regarding the oversight role of the National Assembly. The CNPP and CNCSOs categorically demanded “a thorough investigation into the scope, depth, and integrity of legislative oversight exercised over the NMDPRA during this period, to establish their level of responsibility, negligence, or complicity by action or omission.” The coalition announced that findings by their Joint Intelligence Committee will be formally unveiled at a full-scale press conference in Abuja at a later date. They reiterated specific demands, including a full-scale independent probe into the NMDPRA’s activities under Ahmed focusing on ECOWAS compliance, a comprehensive investigation into the quality of fuels imported since 2021, and a forensic probe into the oversight roles of the relevant National Assembly committees. They also demanded public disclosure of all findings and the prosecution of all culpable individuals and institutions. The CNPP and CNCSOs issued a stern warning, stating that “continued fuel quality violations are not minor technical infractions but constitute economic crimes, consumer rights abuses, environmental hazards, and serious threats to public safety. Any attempt to sweep these issues under the carpet or treat the resignation of the former NMDPRA boss as closure will be firmly resisted.” The statement concluded by asserting, “Nigerians deserve safe, standard-compliant fuel, transparent regulation, and accountable governance. Anything short of this is an unacceptable betrayal of public trust.”