A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), led by the Coalition for Change in Nigeria (CCN), has called on the Federal Government to provide a full disclosure of the funds expended on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s ailing refineries, amidst rising concerns over their continued non-operational status. The CSOs expressed growing frustration at the lack of transparency surrounding both the local refineries and other significant projects in the nation’s oil and gas sector, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, the Convener of the CCN, urged the government to urgently address the perceived lack of accountability in the sector, especially with regard to the billions of naira allocated to revamp the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to understand where these massive investments have gone, given that none of the facilities are currently operating at full capacity.
“We are focusing on three critical areas that demand the urgent attention of the Nigerian people and the government: fuel pricing and its impact on Nigerians, the expenditures committed to our local refineries, and the full disclosure of agreements surrounding the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project,” Dr. Agabi declared.
One of the primary concerns raised by the CSOs is the sustained high fuel prices in the country, despite the much-touted deregulation of the downstream oil sector. The organizations questioned the transparency of the pricing mechanisms employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, stating that the deregulation policy was supposed to introduce stability and fairness into the market, thereby reducing fuel costs for Nigerians. Instead, fuel prices remain prohibitively high, further burdening citizens already grappling with economic hardship.
“What Nigerians cannot and will not tolerate is the lack of accountability regarding the pricing mechanisms employed by the state-owned oil company. We demand an immediate review and explanation of the factors driving fuel prices upwards. Where is the transparency? Why are we still burdened with high fuel prices when the intent of deregulation was to bring stability and fairness to the market?” Agabi asked.
The CSOs demanded an immediate public inquiry into the expenditures committed to rehabilitating the country’s refineries, especially the Port Harcourt Refinery, which has reportedly consumed billions of naira without achieving full operational capacity. They emphasized that for years, Nigerians have been reassured that funds were being poured into these facilities to restore them, yet they remain largely inactive. The coalition stressed that the Nigerian people deserve to know where these public funds have gone and why the refineries are still not contributing meaningfully to the country’s energy supply.
“We call on the Federal Government to immediately initiate a public inquiry into the expenditures committed to reviving our local refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery. For years, Nigerians have been told that billions of naira have been poured into revamping these refineries. Yet, to date, none of them are operating at full capacity. Nigerians deserve to know where our money has gone,” Agabi insisted.
In addition to transparency on refinery rehabilitation, the CSOs also called for greater accountability regarding the AKK Gas Pipeline Project. They expressed concerns over the opacity of the agreements surrounding the project, which they believe could pose significant financial and environmental risks to the nation if not properly managed. The coalition urged the government to provide clear details on the project’s financing and implementation, ensuring that Nigerians are not left in the dark about a venture with such wide-reaching implications.
As part of their recommendations, the CSOs advocated for diversifying Nigeria’s refining capacity by encouraging the development of modular refineries across the country. These smaller-scale, more flexible refining units, they argued, are better suited to Nigeria’s current needs and could significantly reduce the cost of fuel, create jobs, and ensure a stable energy supply for the nation. The coalition believes that relying solely on the existing large, inefficient refineries is not a sustainable strategy, and modular refineries offer a viable alternative to meet Nigeria’s growing energy demands.
“We reject any attempts by individuals or organizations to monopolize refining operations in Nigeria. As a nation, we must diversify our refining capacities by licensing and encouraging the establishment of modular refineries across the country. These smaller, flexible units are better suited to our current needs and can help reduce the cost of fuel for Nigerians,” Agabi emphasized.
Concluding the press conference, Agabi issued a strong appeal to the Federal Government to act swiftly in addressing the concerns raised by the CSOs. He warned that continued silence on these critical issues would only deepen public mistrust and further exacerbate the economic challenges facing the nation.
“The time for silence is over. We must act now to secure a better future for all Nigerians. Transparency, accountability, and effective management of our oil and gas resources are non-negotiable if we are to overcome the energy and economic crises that continue to plague the country,” Agabi concluded.
