The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has postponed its public hearing on kerosene subsidy scam till next week Tuesday.
The postponement followed the absence of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dezani Alison-Madueke and the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, on Monday.
Dakuku Peterside, chairman of the committee said the hearing will now hold on February 18, 2014.
Following the latest revelation by the Governor of Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that huge foreign currency is being spent to subsidize kerosene importation, the House directed its committee to investigate the claim.
The Committee is mandated to conduct thorough investigation into issues surrounding kerosene supply, distribution and subsidy payments from the year 2010 to 2013.
All those concerned are expected to provide “all relevant detailed information as it relates to approvals on kerosene subsidy, source of money for payment of the subsidy, budgetary approvals, kerosene import details, PFI allocation and product distribution chart, PPPRA authorization and validations, auditors approval and reports, relevant shipping documents and all other documents that will assist the committee in discharging its responsibility.”
A letter from the office of the minister requesting for the postponement reads, “I wish to inform you that the Honourale Minister together with the top management if the Ministry and its agencies will be participating in the International Summit on Power Financing starting today, 10th February, 2014.
“As a result we regret to inform you of our inability to honour your invitation. We are currently engaged with the Senate Committee on Finance and it is not clear when their hearing will end. ”
In the same vein, NNPC in a letter signed by its General Manager, National Assembly Liaison, Mr. M.B Bamanga, also stated, ” I am further directed to appeal to the Chairman to allow NNPC and its subsidiary sufficient time to collate the required documents and reschedule an alternate date for the appearance of our organization at the hearing, please”.
Another letter from PPMC signed by G.O Komolafe, also cited the need to be given enough time to gather necessary documents.
In view of the above, the committee chairman, Mr. Peterside announced the postponement of the hearing, saying “It is not in the character of the seventh National Assembly to waste people’s time. On behalf of the committee, I want to apologise to you , we are going to be compelled by circumstances to put off this hearing to the February 18.
“We owe you a duty to carry out the investigation, we will not let you down, we want to apologise once more, we will move on with the hearing Feb. 18th.
