By Peter Dansu The Member representing Badagry Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upst...
The Member representing Badagry Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the continued non-functionality of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries despite years of rehabilitation efforts and massive public spending.
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Hon. Whingan expressed strong concern over the sorry state of the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, which have remained inactive despite reports of over $18 billion spent on turnaround maintenance and rehabilitation projects between 2010 and 2024.
The lawmaker said it was unacceptable that the country continues to import refined petroleum products while billions of dollars in public funds have been committed to reviving the refineries with no tangible results to show.
He also cited recent comments by Africa’s leading industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, both of whom questioned the sincerity and transparency of previous rehabilitation efforts, describing them as wasteful and mismanaged.
“With the Dangote Refinery now fully operational, it is even more important for Nigerians to ask why our public refineries remain dormant after decades of funding and failed promises. Citizens deserve clear answers and responsible management of national assets,” Hon. Whingan said.
Following the motion, the House of Representatives resolved to set up a Joint Committee to investigate all funds allocated to the refineries between 2010 and 2024, assess their current operational status, and identify individuals or institutions responsible for any financial mismanagement.
Hon. Whingan stressed that the investigation was not merely about exposing wrongdoing, but about restoring public trust, ensuring accountability, and protecting national resources.
“This motion is about our duty to the Nigerian people. We must put an end to the cycle of waste and inefficiency in our energy sector. The time for real accountability is now,” he added.
Hon. Whingan’s motion has been widely praised as a bold step toward reforming Nigeria’s petroleum industry, a sector vital to the nation’s economic stability and development.
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