Reps panel dismisses petition towards NIPCO over ‘gas distribution licences breach’

The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on the Petition regarding NIPCO Plc has dismissed the petition by the Nigerian Energy Security Watch Group (NESWG) towards alleged breaches within the award of licences for gasoline distribution to the corporate.

The petitioner requested for investigation, suspension and cancellation of the licences issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to NIPCO Plc for Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, and the Lagos and Lekki Free Trade Zones.

But the sub-committee, and extension of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), chaired by Peter Aniekwe on Thursday, resolved to dismiss the petition for missing in substance and proof, saying that they primarily based their petition on rumour info that couldn’t show any of their allegations.

The Sub committee which  was constituted in October 2026 to look at the petition, and was granted an extension of 14 days on twenty sixth October 2026 to conclude its work.

“At its sitting today (Thursday), the Sub-Committee resolved not to proceed with the investigation, and the petition is accordingly dismissed,” Aniekwe declared.

He harassed that granting of gasoline distribution licences rests with the regulator below the Petroleum Industry Act. “The grant and regulation of gas distribution licences is a statutory function of the NMDPRA under the Petroleum Industry Act,” he stated.

He added that “the the National Assembly will continue to exercise its oversight of that process in the public interest,” saying “Nigerians deserve a gas market that is open, competitive and safe, and investors deserve rules that are clear and stable.”