***Minister Lokpobiri Assures of Reforms, Apologizes for Lapses
The 2025 budget defense session for the petroleum sector took a contentious turn on Friday as the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, and Gas) erupted into disorder. Tensions flared over delays in budget documentation, with lawmakers decrying the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ perceived lack of preparedness and respect for legislative protocols.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, was already fraught with logistical challenges. The cramped committee room, bursting with lawmakers and ministry officials, became the backdrop for a fiery exchange that highlighted the strained relationship between the legislative and executive branches. Calls to relocate the session to a more accommodating venue went unheeded, adding to the frustration.
Before the session could proceed, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu raised a procedural objection, pointing out the absence of vital budget documents. “We cannot engage in a meaningful discussion without the necessary materials. This undermines the integrity of the process,” Nwogu asserted.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, faced sharp criticism for the disorganization. Hon. Ado Doguwa, Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, accused the Ministry of fostering an adversarial relationship with the legislature. “Minister, we see you only once a year, and even then, the lack of collaboration is glaring. This is unacceptable,” Doguwa said, his frustration evident.
Lokpobiri, in an attempt to salvage the situation, apologized for the lapses. “Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, I deeply regret this oversight. It was not intentional. The budget documents are being distributed as we speak,” he said. He assured lawmakers that the Ministry remained committed to supporting legislative oversight and improving future engagements.
However, Lokpobiri’s lighthearted remark that the documents were being delivered in “Ghana Must Go” bags—containing no money—elicited mixed reactions. While some lawmakers chuckled, others viewed it as a diversion from the seriousness of the issue.
Doguwa, accepting the apology, stressed the need for strict adherence to legislative guidelines. “While we appreciate the apology, the late submission of documents is a breach of procedure. This cannot continue. We demand accountability and timely cooperation moving forward,” he said.
The session ultimately ended in stalemate, with lawmakers insisting on postponing the meeting until all necessary documents had been reviewed. The debacle underscores the persistent challenges of executive-legislative coordination in Nigeria’s budgetary process, particularly in critical sectors like petroleum.
As the Joint Committee prepares to reconvene, stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the Ministry of Petroleum Resources can rebuild trust and ensure a smoother process in the future.