The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has launched a comprehensive investigation into Nigeria’s troubled refinery rehabilitation projects, following widespread public concern and allegations of large-scale financial mismanagement.
This move comes after it was revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery — which recently resumed operations after a costly turnaround maintenance — has once again ceased production.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere, disclosed that the committee’s resolution was reached during a special session prompted by numerous petitions from Nigerians.
“These petitions include serious allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and misappropriation of public funds,” Ugochinyere stated, pointing to the lack of accountability from refinery managers and NNPC officials despite site visits and progress updates.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently probing the disbursement of over $2.8 billion: $1.5 billion allocated to the Port Harcourt refinery, $740 million for the Kaduna refinery, and $657 million for the Warri refinery.
The committee’s investigation aims to uncover how such huge sums were spent with little to show in terms of results, especially given the persistent fuel import dependency despite years of rehabilitation promises.
