PETROAN Questions $4bn Refinery Spend, Demands Firm Production Timelines
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has challenged the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to set out a clear, realistic and workable timeline for the long-delayed revival of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, warning that billions of dollars in public funds have yielded no tangible results.
Nigeria’s three refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna have a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day, yet remain largely non-operational years after repeated rehabilitation efforts.
PETROAN noted that over $4 billion has been spent on turnaround maintenance and rehabilitation over time, including the most recent contracts, without restoring sustained production.
“Despite this huge expenditure of taxpayers’ money, Nigerians are yet to see tangible results,” the association said, raising concerns over efficiency, accountability and project delivery in the refinery rehabilitation programme.
The group said Nigerians and industry stakeholders are now asking a critical question: when will the refineries resume production, and what has become of the billions of dollars committed to their rehabilitation?
While acknowledging NNPCL’s disclosure that it is conducting project appraisals and sourcing strategic partners, PETROAN insisted that such efforts must be backed by definite timelines and measurable milestones.
“Every serious project must be guided by a clear timeline with deliverables. Nigerians deserve to know exactly when these refineries will return to operation,” the association stated.
Speaking to journalists, PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, warned that delays could worsen as the country approaches another election cycle.
“Nigeria is fast approaching another election season, and we know that governance and project execution often slow down during such periods,” Gillis-Harry said. “That is why decisive action must be taken early in the year to avoid another round of delays.”
He stressed that reviving domestic refining capacity is critical to easing the burden on the economy and consumers.
“The operationalisation of Nigeria’s refineries will significantly reduce the cost of petroleum products,” Gillis-Harry said. “Local refining will drastically cut importation, conserve foreign exchange, strengthen the naira and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the petroleum value chain.”
PETROAN reaffirmed its willingness to support the Federal Government and NNPCL in reviving the refineries, noting that credible foreign technical and financial partners are ready to collaborate.
“We are prepared to work with all stakeholders to achieve this national objective, but it must be driven by transparency, accountability and a clear roadmap,” the association added.
