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Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has issued a strong demand to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to provide a transparent account of how the $2.9 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria's three refineries was utilized.
Falana's call comes amid growing concerns over the underperformance of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which currently operates at a mere 60,000 barrels per day, significantly below its 150,000 bpd capacity. The Warri and Kaduna refineries remain non-operational.
The legal luminary expressed his concerns during the commissioning of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Tower in Lagos. He questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the allocation and utilization of the $2.9 billion, urging NUPENG and PENGASSAN to provide a clear picture of the refineries' actual status.
In response to the criticism, NNPC Ltd's Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, assured that the Port Harcourt Refinery is operational and currently functioning at 70% of its installed capacity. The company's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, further clarified that the refinery produces Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha), which is subsequently blended to generate 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily.
However, Falana's demand for accountability highlights the ongoing public scrutiny surrounding the state of Nigeria's refineries and the government's efforts to revitalize the sector. As the nation grapples with fuel shortages and rising prices, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds are paramount.
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