Energy advocates, APC group write Tinubu over Port Harcourt, other refineries

The Energy Reforms Advocates (ERA) and the APC Youth Vanguard for Change (APCYVC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the persistent inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to restore the Port Harcourt and other local refineries. The groups expressed concern over the $2.9 billion approved in 2021 for the rehabilitation of […]

The Energy Reforms Advocates (ERA) and the APC Youth Vanguard for Change (APCYVC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the persistent inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to restore the Port Harcourt and other local refineries.

The groups expressed concern over the $2.9 billion approved in 2021 for the rehabilitation of the refineries, which remain non-functional despite assurances.

In a letter addressed to the President, they lamented the continuous state of decay within Nigeria’s petroleum sector .

These failure, the ERA Convener, Opialu Fabian and APCYVC Convener, Ezewanka Ugochukwu who signed the letter said has led to economic sabotage, health hazards, and environmental risks due to the importation of adulterated fuel.

They criticized NNPCL’s repeated promises and prolonged inaction, citing systemic failure and corruption within the leadership.

They questioned the utilization of funds allocated for refinery rehabilitation, which seems unaccounted for.

Among many other things, they demanded that the probe should reveal the truth behind the persistent failures and alleged financial improprieties.

The groups proposed immediate actions, including revamping the regulatory framework, reactivating local refineries, transparency in subsidy implementation, strengthening NNPCL’s leadership, and empowering the public with information.

The letter partly reads: “Your Excellency, we are witnessing a dire situation. Despite the approval of $2.9 billion in 2021 for the rehabilitation of these vital refineries, they remain non-functional. NNPCL has repeatedly assured Nigerians that these facilities would soon become operational, yet these assurances have failed to translate into reality.

“The refineries stand dormant, while Nigeria, an oil giant and Africa’s largest oil producer, finds itself dependent on foreign countries to meet its domestic fuel needs.

“It is unacceptable that as one of the top oil-producing nations in the world, Nigeria is forced into a position where it has no choice but to rely on imported petroleum products to meet domestic demand.

“The time has come for systemic reform. The root causes of these challenges are multi-faceted, encompassing institutional corruption, regulatory weaknesses, and a pervasive culture of unaccountability.”