Where Did The Money Go?’ — Coalition Challenges NNPCL Over Refinery Rehabilitation Billions

The demand was made on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, where the coalition’s National President, Tekeme Umukoro, criticised what he described as persistent waste, lack of transparency, and repeated failed promises surrounding Nigeria’s refinery sector.

The group’s concerns followed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NNPCL and two Chinese firms — Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng Industrial Park Operation and Management Company Limited — for the rehabilitation and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

Umukoro said the latest deal raises serious accountability concerns, especially after previous refinery rehabilitation projects reportedly consumed billions of dollars without producing significant results.

According to him, Nigerians deserve clear explanations regarding how funds allocated to the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refinery rehabilitation projects were utilised.

The coalition argued that public institutions should not proceed with fresh agreements without first disclosing what became of earlier investments and the outcomes achieved.

It noted that despite billions reportedly spent on refinery repairs, Nigeria still relies heavily on imported petroleum products while facing unstable fuel supply and rising energy costs.

The group demanded details of previous contracts, completed projects, achieved milestones, audit reports, and reasons earlier rehabilitation programmes failed.

It also questioned the transparency of the proposed technical equity partnership model reportedly being considered by NNPCL under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari.

The coalition warned that allowing foreign entities to occupy strategic positions within Nigeria’s refining infrastructure could raise concerns about governance and energy sovereignty if not properly managed.

Among its demands, the group called for the immediate publication of a comprehensive audit of refinery rehabilitation spending from 2015 to date and urged the National Assembly to launch a public investigation into refinery expenditures over the last decade.

It also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct anti-corruption agencies to investigate any evidence of financial misconduct connected to previous refinery rehabilitation contracts.