Senate Committee on Downstream Sector vows to introduce reforms to restructure, recalibrate sector

By Apex News Exclusive Last updated Oct 29, 2025

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The Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream Sector has vowed to introduce much needed reforms in the petroleum sector including the Petroleum Industry Act as well as tackling incessant crises involving various stakeholders like NUPENG and PENGASSAN and issues affecting crude oil supply obligations, regulatory overlaps, labour rights disputes, transparency, and competitiveness within the sector.
The Chairman of the Committee, Distinguished Senator Abdulrahman Kawu stated thus at an interactive meeting held on the 29th of October 2025 at the National Assembly Complex where he reiterated the Senate’s determination to tackle the persistent challenges affecting the sector identify the bottlenecks and proffer lasting solutions

According to Senator Kawu, the reforms are imperative in view of the lingering concerns surrounding the operations of private refineries, government-owned refineries, and independent marketers; ongoing disputes involving the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and other labour stakeholders; and allegations relating to crude oil supply obligations, regulatory overlaps, labour rights disputes, transparency, and competitiveness within the sector.
He also assured that that the process would be fair, transparent, and inclusive, with all stakeholders, including private refinery owners, government refineries, labour unions, regulators, civil society organisations, and other interested parties, given an opportunity to make submissions and express their concerns.
The able Petroleum Downstream Sector Committee helmsman also observed that the hearings and subsequent reforms will guide the Senate in reshaping the roles of the regulatory agencies in resolving industrial disputes, understanding the future of the Nigerian downstream sector under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and addressing the concerns of independent petroleum marketers while focusing on tackling systemic challenges in the sector, strengthening legislative and oversight mechanisms, safeguarding workers’ rights, promoting industrial harmony, and improving Nigeria’s energy security, transparency, and competitiveness.