The House of Representatives has reaffirmed the statutory authority of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to grant and regulate fuel distribution licences, following the dismissal of a petition difficult licences issued to NIPCO Plc.
The House Sub-Committee on the petition regarding NIPCO Plc dismissed the petition filed by the Nigerian Energy Security Watch Group (NESWG), which sought an investigation, suspension and cancellation of fuel distribution licences granted to the corporate.
The licences cowl Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states, in addition to the Lagos and Lekki Free Trade Zones.
The Sub-Committee, chaired by Hon. Peter Aniekwe, with Hon. Dahaltu Shehu as a member, introduced its determination on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after resolving that the petition lacked substance and supporting proof.
Speaking after the sitting, Aniekwe mentioned the petitioners failed to ascertain their allegations in opposition to NIPCO, noting that their claims had been largely primarily based on rumour.
“At its sitting today, the Sub-Committee resolved not to proceed with the investigation, and the petition is accordingly dismissed,” he mentioned.
The lawmaker careworn that the authority to grant and regulate fuel distribution licences rests with the NMDPRA underneath the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“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,” Aniekwe acknowledged.
He disclosed that the NMDPRA had dedicated to finishing and rolling out fuel distribution licensing within the fourth quarter of 2026.
According to him, the Sub-Committee will carefully monitor the method to make sure that the nation’s fuel market stays open, aggressive and protected.
“Nigerians deserve a gas market that is open, competitive and safe, and investors deserve rules that are clear and stable,” he mentioned.
Aniekwe additionally assured Nigerians and organisations that the House of Representatives would proceed to contemplate real issues in regards to the fuel sector, including that its doorways remained open to petitions from members of the general public.
The Sub-Committee was constituted in October 2026 to look at the petition and was granted a further 14 days on October 26 to conclude its project.
The dismissal brings the petition looking for the cancellation of NIPCO’s fuel distribution licences earlier than the Sub-Committee to an finish.
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