The House of Representatives on Thursday mandated its relevant committees to investigate the non-functionality of state-owned petroleum refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna despite the use of about $18bn for their rehabilitation in the past two decades.
The resolution of the House followed the consideration and adoption of a motion moved by Lagos lawmaker, Oluwaseun Whingan, during a plenary session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu.
The Federal Government owns four petroleum refineries in Port Harcourt (with two plants) and a plant each in Warri and Kaduna.
Managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the refineries have suffered from perennial rot owing to factors ranging from poor administration and vandalism; a development that has left the nation with no option but to rely on imported refined products.
Recently, billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote argued that the chances of the refineries bouncing back were slim, even as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, stated that selling off the national assets would not be ruled out.
Wooing his colleagues in support of the motion, Whinghan, who represents the Badgary Federal Constituency, Lagos State, noted that the House was worried over the persistent non-functionality of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.
This, he said, was despite over two decades of rehabilitation efforts and an estimated expenditure of $18bn on turnaround maintenance, with no tangible results to show.
He continued, “The House is worried over the recent public statements by Nigeria’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and former President Olusegan Obasanjo, expressing doubts about the viability of these refineries and describing the multi-billion-dollar investments as futile, sparking widespread public concern and outrage over potential mismanagement.
“We recall that in 2007, during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Dangote and other private investors acquired the refineries, but the succeeding administration of President Umaru Yar’ Yar’ Adua reversed the transaction, opting instead for rehabilitation using public funds, a decision that has yielded no significant operational improvements.
“The House is concerned that on Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, in an interview published by The PUNCH, sought to distance the current administration from the monumental mismanagement of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Wari, and Kaduna.
“He confirmed their continued non-functionality despite significant investments estimated at $18bn, and proposed the potential sale of these assets, thereby raising critical questions about fiscal responsibility, strategic asset management, and the long-term implications for Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.”
According to the Lagos lawmaker, Nigerians are worried that despite consistent annual budgetary allocations over the years, “there is no verifiable evidence of substantial rehabilitation outcomes, representing a gross misuse of public funds and a betrayal of public trust.”
He continued, “We are aware that Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security are inextricably linked to a functional and accountable downstream petroleum sector, particularly following the removal of the petrol subsidy by the current administration, which underscores the urgent need for operational refineries to mitigate economic hardship.
“We are convinced that a comprehensive, transparent, and time-bound investigation is essential to ascertain the current operational and structural status of Port Harcourt, Wari, and Kaduna refineries, examine the utilisation of all allocated funds and the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.
“We will identify any infractions, mismanagement, or corrupt practices in the management of these assets and propose actionable reforms to safeguard future public investments and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream and Midstream), Gas Resources and Public Assets to investigate funds appropriated and disbursed for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries between 2010 and 2024.”
The committees are to “ascertain the status of the refineries, exаmine how public funds were utilised and identify agencies responsible for infractions or mismanagement and report within four weeks for further legislative action.”
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