Reps move to revive oil pipelines, ore depot amid mounting energy concerns
In a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s deepening energy infrastructure crisis, the House of Representatives has inaugurated a Special Ad-hoc Committee to oversee the rehabilitation of oil and gas pipelines nationwide and revamp the long-dormant Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigeria Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC) Depot in Ore, Ondo State.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani (NNPP, Kano), held its inaugural meeting today at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The formation of the committee comes on the heels of two critical motions passed by the House on March 11 and 12, 2025, which spotlighted the urgent need to address pipeline vandalism and restore functionality to strategic petroleum infrastructure across the country.
Hon. Tijjani, in his opening remarks, underscored the significance of the Ore Depot to Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. He said the depot, which has been idle for several years due to extensive vandalism and infrastructural decay, once played a crucial role in the storage and nationwide distribution of petroleum products.
“The prolonged inactivity of the Ore Depot has disrupted supply chains, fueled scarcity, and contributed to the soaring cost of petroleum products in Nigeria.
“The pipelines supplying and evacuating products to and from the depot have either been vandalized or rendered obsolete due to years of neglect”, the chairman stated.
Tijjani warned that the integrity of Nigeria’s oil and gas pipelines is central to the safe and efficient transportation of petroleum products.
He noted that the persistent acts of vandalism have had far-reaching consequences, not just environmental degradation and loss of livelihoods, but also massive revenue shortfalls that threaten national security and economic stability.
“The deterioration of our pipeline network is not merely a technical setback; it is a threat to our energy security and undermines our vision for a resilient economy,” he said.
The committee, he revealed, will investigate the root causes of pipeline vandalism and associated challenges in the oil and gas sector over the past decade. It will also assess the condition of depots across Nigeria with a view to developing a strategic plan for their full rehabilitation and efficient operation.
“Rehabilitating critical pipeline infrastructure and ensuring the restoration of full operations at the Ore Depot are essential to Nigeria’s energy stability and economic resurgence,” Tijjani added.
He assured that the committee’s recommendations would align with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to revitalize the economy, boost energy sufficiency, and drive sustainable development.
According to him, the initiative mirrors the vision of the 10th House of Representatives to support good governance through responsive and impactful legislation.
Tijjani called on members of the committee to approach the assignment with dedication, integrity, and a sense of national duty. “Our deliberations must be factual, thorough, and result-oriented,” he charged.
The establishment of the committee is expected to mark a turning point in Nigeria’s struggle to modernize its oil infrastructure, restore confidence in the petroleum distribution network, and ultimately reduce the economic burden imposed by persistent fuel supply disruptions.
