Di House of Representatives don start move to address di growing concerns for Nigeria downstream petroleum sector.

Dem oppose di continued imposition of US dollar-denominated charges on locally refined petroleum products and announce plans to investigate alleged irregularities for how dem dey allocate fuel import licences.

Di House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) reveal this on Tuesday during interactive session wit key industry stakeholders, including Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, and Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria.

Di engagement na part of di committee ongoing consultations on proposed amendments to Petroleum Industry Act and broader reforms wey dey aim to strengthen domestic refining, guarantee national energy security and ensure competitive downstream petroleum market.

Di Chairman of di committee, Ikenga Ugochinyere, talk say di lawmakers go invite Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Ports Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, refiners and oda relevant agencies to respond to issues wey industry operators raise.

“We go meet wit NMDPRA, NUPRC, di refiners—both modular refinery owners and di large refinery operators—as well as NPA, CBN and oda relevant agencies on di issues wey dem don raise. Dese go form part of our downstream reforms, including proposed amendments to Petroleum Industry Act and legislative motions to correct identified gaps,” Ugochinyere talk.

Di lawmaker express concern over di continued charging of port fees for US dollars for petroleum products wey dem refine and transport within Nigeria, and e talk say di practice dey bad for di economy.

“We don take special note of di issue of dollar-denominated charges by Nigerian Ports Authority. E no good for di economy say, for time like dis, people wey dey involved for domestic downstream activities still dey charge for dollars. Dat one go eventually affect di pump price of Premium Motor Spirit,” e talk.

Ugochinyere still promise to investigate allegations say fuel import licences for di first three quarters of 2026 na di same group of marketers dem give am.

“We don also take note of wetin una talk about di lopsidedness for how dem dey issue import licences, where allocations for first, second and third quarters go to di same set of operators. We go raise dese questions when NMDPRA appear before di committee to explain di criteria wey dem use to issue those licences,” e add.

Di committee chairman stress di need to strike balance between protecting Nigeria expanding domestic refining capacity and preserving di investments of marketers wey don build storage and distribution infrastructure over several decades.