Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to clarify the alleged mismanagement of $2.9 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s three major refineries. Falana expressed concern over the underperformance of the Port Harcourt refinery, which is currently processing only 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) instead of its full capacity of 150,000 bpd, while the Warri and Kaduna refineries remain idle.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Tower in Lagos on Wednesday, Falana criticized NNPCL’s lack of transparency. He urged key stakeholders, including NUPENG and PENGASSAN, to disclose the true operational state of the refineries.
“The NNPCL has not explained to Nigerians why $2.9 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of the refineries has been diverted. Only 60,000 bpd is being processed while the remaining capacity and other refineries are neglected,” Falana stated.
The event, which also marked the inauguration of the tallest labor union office building in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu, attracted prominent figures such as NLC President Joe Ajaero, TUC President Festus Osifo, and NUPENG President Williams Akporeha.
In response to Falana’s queries, Mele Kyari assured attendees that the Port Harcourt refinery was operational. However, recent investigations by SaharaReporters contradict this claim.
Refinery Operations Under Scrutiny
SaharaReporters revealed that only the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the Port Harcourt refinery is functional. This unit produces naphtha, kerosene, and diesel but lacks the capability to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. Insiders disclosed that NNPCL has been blending naphtha with Crack C5 and labeling it as PMS, a practice that experts warn could adversely affect vehicles.
NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed that the old Port Harcourt refinery operates at 70% capacity, producing approximately 1.4 million liters of PMS daily through blending. However, the secondary units required for full production remain uncommissioned.
Future Plans and Financial Concerns
Top refinery officials stated that the processing plant’s 150,000 bpd capacity will only be fully operational by 2026, contingent on the availability of funds. Despite exceeding $2 billion in expenditures, further delays and financial challenges persist.
Falana’s demands for accountability resonate with growing public frustration over the state of Nigeria’s refineries, raising urgent questions about financial oversight and the nation’s energy independence.
