National Assembly To Investigate NNPCL Over $18bn Spent On Refineries.

NASS.

The House of Representatives on Thursday directed its relevant committees to probe the continued non-functionality of Nigeria’s government-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, despite spending about $18bn on their rehabilitation over the past 20 years.

This resolution followed a motion raised by Lagos lawmaker Oluwaseun Whingan during a plenary session chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu.

The Federal Government owns four refineries — two in Port Harcourt and one each in Warri and Kaduna — all managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. However, the facilities have remained inactive due to persistent mismanagement, poor maintenance, and vandalism, leaving the country dependent on imported refined petroleum products.

Recently, billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote expressed doubts about the refineries’ chances of recovery, while NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, indicated that selling the assets might be an option.

Presenting his motion, Whingan, who represents Badagry Federal Constituency, noted the House’s concern over the refineries’ long-standing failure despite repeated rehabilitation attempts and an estimated $18bn spent on turnaround maintenance without results.

He said, “The House is worried over the recent public statements by Nigeria’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and former President Olusegun 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’Adua reversed the transaction, opting instead for rehabilitation using public funds, a decision that has yielded no significant operational improvements.”

Whingan added, “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, Warri, 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.”

The lawmaker further noted that Nigerians were increasingly frustrated, as “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, Warri, and Kaduna refineries and 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.”

After adopting the motion, the House directed its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Downstream, and Midstream), Gas Resources, and Public Assets to investigate the funds appropriated and disbursed for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries between 2010 and 2024.

The committees were also tasked to “ascertain the status of the refineries, examine how public funds were utilised, identify agencies responsible for infractions or mismanagement, and report within four weeks for further legislative action.”