By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has dismissed petitions alleging money laundering against the Executive Vice President of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Dangazau, following an investigation by an ad hoc subcommittee.
The petitions were submitted by the Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria’s Petroleum Sector (CTANPS).
The Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, commended the investigative process, describing evidence-based legislative oversight as essential to accountability, transparency and public confidence in the petroleum industry.
He said petitions against public officials must be subjected to thorough scrutiny and assessed on the basis of verifiable facts, stressing that oversight should remain impartial and protect individuals against unsubstantiated allegations.
Ugochinyere also highlighted the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, noting its direct implications for fuel supply, transportation costs, economic activities and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
He cited ongoing efforts by the NNPCL to improve operational efficiency, diversify energy sources and modernise petroleum product distribution as areas requiring sustained attention.
On refinery rehabilitation, the lawmaker pointed to the company’s revised approach involving technical equity partnerships, aimed at improving operational performance and commercial sustainability. However, the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries had yet to resume production as of July 2026.
He also referenced the NNPCL’s support for compressed natural gas (CNG) adoption, including the handover of 35 CNG-powered hybrid buses to the Presidential Initiative on CNG in July 2025 and the reported acquisition of 500 CNG-powered trucks in its 2025 audited performance announcement.
In another development, NNPC Retail commissioned its first smart self-service station on Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja, in September 2026. The facility operates round the clock and combines conventional fuel dispensing with liquefied petroleum gas, electric-vehicle charging, lubricant services and other customer amenities.
Ugochinyere said such initiatives underscored the need for sustained investment and consistent policies to strengthen the sector, while emphasising that their success should be measured by improved fuel availability, affordability, operational efficiency and service delivery.
He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to oversight of the petroleum industry, saying scrutiny remained necessary to safeguard public resources, strengthen institutions and ensure operators acted in the national interest.
The lawmaker urged stakeholders to support constructive reforms and respect due process, adding that transparency and accountability remained critical to rebuilding public confidence in the industry.
