Controversy Erupts As Group Attacks NNPC–Chinese Firms Refinery Pact

The Centre for Energy Sector Transparency made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Oghenetega Edafe.

The reaction followed the announcement of a new memorandum of understanding between the national oil company and two Chinese firms for a proposed technical equity partnership aimed at reviving Nigeria’s ailing refineries.

The deal is expected to support the completion and resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which have remained largely inactive despite multiple rounds of government-funded rehabilitation efforts.

However, Edafe said the latest move raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility, consistency in policy direction, and accountability for previous investments that reportedly run into billions of dollars.

According to him, Nigeria is repeating old mistakes without addressing the failures of the past.

He said, “What Nigerians are witnessing is a recurring pattern of policy repetition without reflection. These refineries have consumed huge public funds over the years, yet we are again seeing fresh agreements without any transparent accounting of what was previously spent or why those investments failed.”

The group noted that over $1 billion had already been committed to refinery rehabilitation projects in the past, warning that entering new partnerships without auditing earlier expenditures could further erode public confidence.

“It is unacceptable that after spending over a billion dollars, the country is still signing new agreements without a clear and verifiable audit of previous work. This is not just policy failure; it is a risk to public trust in how national resources are managed,” Edafe added.

‘New Model Does Not Replace Accountability’

While acknowledging that the technical equity arrangement may have merit in principle, the group insisted it cannot replace accountability for past performance.

Edafe said introducing new partners without addressing previous failures amounts to avoiding responsibility.

“The idea of bringing in technical partners with equity stakes is not inherently wrong. However, it becomes problematic when it is used as a substitute for accountability. Nigerians deserve clarity on how past funds were used, who was responsible, and why results were not achieved,” he said.

Warning of Repeated Failures

The group warned that without deep institutional reforms, the latest agreement could end up repeating the same cycle of heavy spending with little or no result.

Edafe stressed that technical partnerships alone cannot fix systemic governance weaknesses.

“Without transparency, oversight, and consequences for failure, even the best technical arrangement will not deliver meaningful results,” he said.

The Centre called on the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate all refinery rehabilitation spending over the past decade.

It urged a full forensic audit of funds committed to the projects, insisting Nigerians deserve answers on why the country still depends heavily on fuel imports despite repeated promises of refinery revival.

The group concluded that rebuilding confidence in the oil sector will require transparency, accountability, and stronger institutional discipline in the handling of public resources.