On Wednesday, July 3rd, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, moved a motion on the floor of the Senate to investigate the continuous importation of hazardous petroleum products into Nigeria.

He highlighted a recent instance of foreign diesel carriers dumping substandard diesel products in West Africa, with Nigeria being the primary target. This practice violates World Trade Organization rules and undermines local operators who have the capacity to meet the country’s petroleum consumption demands.

The Senate unanimously adopted the motion, urging the investigation of regulators and operators in the petroleum sector to uncover and discontinue any sabotage that could stifle the growth of the sector and the broader economy. A special Senate committee will collaborate with private and governmental stakeholders to achieve this goal.”