Get Guardian on Google…Sub-committee says petitioners failed to substantiate allegations against company
The House of Representatives Sub-Committee investigating a petition against NIPCO Plc has dismissed the petition seeking the cancellation of gas distribution licences issued to the company by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The petition, filed by the Nigerian Energy Security Watch Group (NESWG), had sought an investigation, suspension and cancellation of the licences covering Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states, as well as the Lagos and Lekki Free Trade Zones.
Announcing the decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, said members resolved to dismiss the petition for lacking substance and sufficient evidence.
Aniekwe, who presided over the sitting alongside Hon. Dahaltu Shehu, said the petitioners relied on hearsay information and failed to substantiate their allegations against NIPCO Plc.
“At its sitting today, the Sub-Committee resolved not to proceed with the investigation, and the petition is accordingly dismissed,” he said.
He explained that the issuance and regulation of gas distribution licences were statutory responsibilities of the NMDPRA under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
According to him, the National Assembly would, however, continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities over the licensing process in the public interest.
“The grant and regulation of gas distribution licences is a statutory function of the NMDPRA under the Petroleum Industry Act, and the National Assembly will continue to exercise its oversight of that process in the public interest,” he said.
Aniekwe disclosed that the NMDPRA had committed to completing and rolling out gas distribution licensing in the fourth quarter of 2026.
He said the Sub-Committee would closely monitor the process to ensure that the country’s gas market remained open, competitive and safe.
“Nigerians deserve a gas market that is open, competitive and safe, and investors deserve rules that are clear and stable,” he added.
The chairman further assured Nigerians and organisations with genuine concerns about the gas sector that the House remained open to receiving petitions, stressing that every submission would be considered on its merits.
The Sub-Committee was constituted in October 2026 to examine the NESWG petition and was granted an additional 14 days on October 26 to conclude its assignment.
However, following its sitting on Thursday, the committee resolved that the allegations contained in the petition did not provide sufficient grounds to proceed with the proposed investigation.
