The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the state of the $35 million modular petroleum refinery located in Brass, Bayelsa State.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Billy Osawaru, a lawmaker representing Edo State, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The motion, titled “Motion of urgent public importance on the need to investigate the abandoned $35m modular refinery project in Brass, Bayelsa State, four years after a huge financial commitment to that effect,” seeks to determine why the project remains uncompleted despite significant funding.
The refinery, designed to process 2,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is being developed by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
According to Osawaru, the project was envisioned to boost Nigeria’s crude oil refining capacity, promote indigenous participation in the energy sector, and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
However, despite the plan to commence construction in 2021, reports indicate that the project has stalled and is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraudulent practices.
Lawmakers are now calling for a comprehensive probe to uncover the circumstances surrounding the delay and ensure accountability for the public funds already committed to the project.
