The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) will meet on Thursday, July 24, to assess the state of Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries, following growing controversy over their functionality and the possibility of a sale.
The refineries, located in Port Harcourt (two), Warri, and Kaduna, have remained a national concern amid conflicting reports about their operational status.
While former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) boss Mele Kyari had announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had resumed refining operations, recent comments by Dangote Group President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, cast serious doubt over their viability.
In response, Committee Chairman Henry Okojie said the House is ready to investigate the true state of the facilities, particularly in light of remarks by the current NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, suggesting the refineries could be sold.
Ojulari had hinted at the outdated state of the refineries, stating they may lack the capacity to compete in the evolving global oil refining industry.
Okojie said Thursday’s meeting would allow lawmakers to examine all issues and decide on the best course of action in the interest of Nigerians.
“Like I stated recently, this Committee was set up by the leadership of the House of Representatives, symbolised by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, GCON, to serve the interest of the Nigerian people,” he told Punch.
READ ALSO: NNPC Considers Selling Refineries Amid Costly Rehabilitation Hurdles – CEO Bayo Ojulari
“We are out to make sure that whatever decision we take serves the interest of our people, on whose behest we are at the National Assembly today.
“The Committee will meet this week, hopefully by Thursday, to consider all issues before us concerning the state of the refineries.
“There are reports that over $18 billion has been spent on turnaround maintenance of the refineries. If this is the case, why are they not working? If selling them is a better option, we will know. But until we investigate the situation on the ground, we cannot make a decision.”
Okojie, a member of the All Progressives Congress, urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid politicising the matter.
He also clarified that the Federal Government has not yet decided to sell the refineries, despite Ojulari’s comments.
“It is not time for election yet, and I don’t think it is helpful to politicise this matter. The President Bola Tinubu-led government has not said it is selling off the refineries. The NNPCL’s GCEO merely said sale might be an option.
“Our Committee has work to do and we will do it in the best interest of our beloved country,” he added.