House disowns committee chairman on deregulation

The House of Representatives, yesterday, disowned a statement credited to the chairperson of its Committee on Petroleum Resources, Clever Ikisikpo (PDP, Bayelsa) that the House would support the Federal Government on the proposed deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry.

Mr. Ikisipko, while on an official trip to Lagos last week with other members of the committee, had told journalists that the House would support the deregulation. However, at the plenary session, Dino Melaye (PDP, Kogi) invoked Order 5 of the Standing Rule and complained that his privilege had been breached because the House never sat to take a decision on the matter.

Mr. Melaye said that he read about the petroleum resources committee chairperson's comment in the media and wondered when the House agreed to support the deregulation policy.

Mr. Ikisikpo, confirmed that he made the statement when he addressed journalists and that the statement was informed by the committee's position. But his deputy, Aro Bamidele denied the claim that it was the committee's position.

Mr. Bamidele (PDP, Kogi) said Mr. Ikisikpo told journalists that the deregulation would make the refineries work.

Ubale Jakada Kiru (ANPP, Kano) also complained that such disagreements are not limited to the committee on Petroleum, saying that it was happening in many of the committees, including the committee on States and Local Governments, of which he is the deputy chairperson.

The States and Local Governments committee is currently being investigated by the Ethics and Privileges committee, for allegedly collecting N88 million from some local government areas to organise the 2009 best performing local government award ceremony for them.

The Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, shook his head in disbelief that Mr Ikisikpo and his deputy were disagreeing openly. Mr. Bankole advised the chairpersons of committees to carry their deputies and members along in the performance of their duties.

Don't disagree openly

"This is embarrassing. You (referring to the petroleum resource committee members) should meet immediately and take a position on this issue and advise the whole House," Mr Bankole said.

He warned that the committee leaders should not state their personal positions as those of the House in order not to bring the House into disrepute. The Speaker said that the position of the House should always be taken on the floor.

Earlier, Mr. Bankole had ruled that the House would consider the proposed deregulation as an urgent matter of public importance on the next legislative day (Tuesday).

The decision followed a notice by the Minority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, that he was going to bring the deregulation issue under a motion of urgent importance. Mr Ndume (ANPP, Borno) had referred to Order 8 (25) of the Standing Rules and complained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), through its frequent statements on deregulation, had been causing public panic.

According to him, the corporation cannot deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry without the approval of the National Assembly. "NNPC should not be making statements that they are going to deregulate without approval by the National Assembly. The statements are causing panic already everywhere," he said.

However, Cyril Maduabum (PDP, Anambra) said Mr Ndume's request was not clear as, according to him, it does not require a motion of urgent public importance to ask the NNPC not to make statement.

Strike imminent

Meanwhile meetings held between the Federal Government and Labour to reach a common ground on the planned deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry, ended in a deadlock on Wednesday. While Labour insisted that the action would lead to an increase in the price of petroleum products, which would further impoverish Nigerians, the Federal Government insisted that it was not going back on the deregulation policy.

Since both sides are unwilling to shift positions, there are strong indications that the nation will soon witness a nationwide strike when government eventually goes ahead to implement the policy.