The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the $18 billion reportedly spent on Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, which remain largely non-functional.
The motion, titled “Non-functionality of State-owned Refineries”, was presented by Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan during plenary in Abuja. He expressed concern over the persistent reliance on imported petroleum products despite massive investments in local refineries.
Hon. Whingan recalled that in 2007, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other investors acquired the refineries. However, the transaction was later reversed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in favor of government-led rehabilitation, a move that has yielded no tangible results.
Both Dangote and Obasanjo have described the refineries as unviable. According to Dangote, “The billions spent on the refineries’ rehabilitation were wasted.” Obasanjo also said, “The refineries could not be made functional despite huge investments.” These statements have reignited public outrage over possible mismanagement of funds.
The Group CEO of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, in a July 10 interview, said, “The current administration cannot be held responsible for the past mismanagement of the refineries.” He also hinted at possible sale or privatization of the assets.
The House referred the matter to the Committees on Gas Resources, Public Assets, and Petroleum Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream. They are tasked with investigating fund utilization, assessing the refineries’ operational status, and identifying responsible parties. Committees are expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.