Reps Renew Push for Energy Reform, Urge Overhaul of Nigeria’s Downstream Petroleum Sector

The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to comprehensive energy sector reform, calling on the Federal Government and industry stakeholders to implement a full overhaul of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector to boost efficiency and sustainability.

Speaking at the maiden Annual Downstream Petroleum Week in Abuja on Monday, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, described the energy sector as the engine of national economic growth, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to reposition the industry for optimal performance.

The event, organized by the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), drew participation from major players, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Group.

Despite Nigeria spending over $18 billion on the turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri refineries, the nation still depends heavily on imported petroleum products — a challenge the newly commissioned Dangote Refinery aims to address.

Speaker Abbas said the conference represented a vital platform for generating innovative policies to drive energy sufficiency, adding that legislative efforts would focus on strengthening infrastructure, stabilising policies, and encouraging local investment, especially in LPG and CNG facilities.

“Nigeria is at a critical stage in its industrialisation journey,” Abbas stated. “Our responsibility as lawmakers is to enact policies and provide oversight that will strengthen the downstream sector for a secure, efficient, and resilient economy.”

He further urged the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, as well as concrete measures to tackle energy security gaps, pricing instability, and pipeline vandalism.

In his remarks, Ikenga Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), highlighted recent progress in the sector, citing key projects such as the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, the Waltersmith Modular Refinery expansion in Imo State, and the OPAC Refinery in Delta State.

“Our downstream sector is now more open, efficient, and investment-ready. Nigeria must refine what it produces and consume what it refines,” Ugochinyere said.

He commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for implementing the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation policy to ensure that local refineries have access to crude oil before exports.

Ugochinyere also called for continued industrial harmony, urging labour unions to collaborate with the government and legislature to sustain progress in the sector. “No reform can thrive without peace and productivity,” he noted, while stressing the importance of compliance with tax, safety, and environmental regulations.