The Senate has announced the postponement of its public hearing regarding the alleged sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis within the sector.

The hearing was initially scheduled to take place from September 10 to 12, 2024, and was expected to feature discussions with key stakeholders from the nation’s oil and gas industry.

In a statement released on Sunday, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee responsible for investigating the crisis, confirmed the postponement.

He explained that the delay was necessary to allow for broader consultations with additional stakeholders both within and outside the petroleum sector.

The Senate also cited legislative considerations, emphasizing the need for a more thorough and comprehensive approach to the investigation.

“While we understand and deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause to all involved parties, both collectively and individually, this decision has been made strictly in the national interest,” Bamidele said in the statement.

He reassured the public that the postponement was intended to enhance due diligence and ensure that the inquiry is conducted in a more effective and transparent manner.

Originally, the Senate had summoned various critical players in the petroleum sector to participate in the hearing, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), representatives from Dangote Refinery, and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

The investigation comes at a time when tensions are high over the recent increase in petrol pump prices by the NNPCL.

The price hike has sparked widespread criticism from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the general public, all of whom have been calling for an immediate reversal of the price adjustments.

The delay in the public hearing has only added to the anticipation, as many Nigerians await the Senate’s next steps in tackling the petroleum sector’s challenges.

As the Senate continues its consultations and prepares for the rescheduled hearing, all eyes remain on how it will address the complex issues facing the oil and gas industry, including the allegations of sabotage and the impact of rising fuel prices on the nation’s economy.