The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Solidarity Network has frowned upon the shabby state of the Port Harcourt Refineries project despite a $2 billion purportedly spent on their turn-around maintenance.
The group’s President, Olayemi Isaac, while speaking at a press conference, yesterday in Abuja, warned against the use of the refinery for importing and blending adulterated fuel which, he said, “would not only undermine the country’s economic interests but also poses significant environmental and health risks,” demanding accountability for the missing funds and calling for an immediate investigation into the matter.
Condemning the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL’s) attempts to import refined products, which he described as “a smokescreen to deceive Nigerians”, Isaac emphasised that the Port Harcourt Refinery project’s failure signified NNPCL’s failure to act in Nigerians’ best interests.
He said: “We demand the immediate investigation and probe into the missing $2 billion that was purportedly spent on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refineries, a project that has failed to come alive.
“Despite multiple attempts, multiple rounds of funding, and numerous promises from officials, the Port Harcourt Refineries remain non-operational. This is not only a failure of leadership, but a deliberate sabotage of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of its citizens.
“To date, Nigeria has four state-owned refineries located in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri. However, these refineries have been non-functional for years, despite the fact that billions of dollars have been spent on their maintenance. We find it unfathomable that an oil-producing country like Nigeria cannot refine its own crude oil.
“More troubling is the fact that every time we are told that the refineries will be repaired and functional, they fail to come to life. The Port Harcourt Refineries alone have been announced to undergo rehabilitation several times, but they remain in a state of dormancy.
“This is why we, the APC Youth Solidarity Network, have chosen to speak out. We cannot remain silent while the resources meant for the development of our country are being misappropriated.”
