24th October 2023

The Senate has raised an ad hoc committee to investigate all the contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of all state-owned refineries said to have gulped N11.35tn in 13 years.

It also mandated the panel to interrogate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Bureau of Public Enterprises on the best approach to commercialise state-owned refineries.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano) who presided over the plenary, named Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho as the chairman of the committee.

Other members are chairmen of the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream, Upstream and Gas), Finance, Appropriation, and Public Accounts.

They are expected to submit their report within four weeks.

The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi) during Tuesday’s plenary.

Nigeria’s four refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt had become moribund for years despite the series of repairs executed under various Turn Around Maintenance contracts that had gulped huge amounts.

Karimi, in his motion, expressed concern that the state-owned refineries have been serious drain pipes of public finance, depriving citizens of the joy of being an oil-producing nation.

He said between 2010 and now, Nigeria is estimated to have spent N11.35trillion, excluding other costs in other currencies which include $592, 976, 050.00, 4, 877, 068.47 Euros and 3, 455, 656.93 Pounds, on the renovation of refineries, yet they are unproductive.

He said despite the moribund state of the four refineries, their operating costs between 2010 and 2020 are estimated at N4.8 trillion.

The refineries are estimated to make the cumulative loss of N1.64 trillion, within four years, he added.

He expressed worry that if a thorough investigation of the past and current rehabilitation projects is not undertaken by the Senate, the circle of awarding unproductive turnaround maintenance contracts may not abate, thereby retaining the status quo where rehabilitation contracts have become conduit pipes for siphoning public funds.

Senators, in their various contributions, said the country could not continue to spend money on an unproductive venture and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the state of the refineries are sanctioned.

Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo), said the Senate must ensure proper oversight functions to make sure that Nigerians enjoy value for their tax.


They are expected to submit their report within four weeks.

The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi) during Tuesday’s plenary.

Nigeria’s four refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt had become moribund for years despite the series of repairs executed under various Turn Around Maintenance contracts that had gulped huge amounts.


Karimi, in his motion, expressed concern that the state-owned refineries have been serious drain pipes of public finance, depriving citizens of the joy of being an oil-producing nation.

He said between 2010 and now, Nigeria is estimated to have spent N11.35trillion, excluding other costs in other currencies which include $592, 976, 050.00, 4, 877, 068.47 Euros and 3, 455, 656.93 Pounds, on the renovation of refineries, yet they are unproductive.

He said despite the moribund state of the four refineries, their operating costs between 2010 and 2020 are estimated at N4.8 trillion.


He expressed worry that if a thorough investigation of the past and current rehabilitation projects is not undertaken by the Senate, the circle of awarding unproductive turnaround maintenance contracts may not abate, thereby retaining the status quo where rehabilitation contracts have become conduit pipes for siphoning public funds.

Senators, in their various contributions, said the country could not continue to spend money on an unproductive venture and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the state of the refineries are sanctioned.

Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo), said the Senate must ensure proper oversight functions to make sure that Nigerians enjoy value for their tax.


He said, “The amount so far spent on the refineries can build brand new ones. Senators must take the issues with all seriousness it deserves.”

Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa) said the high level of corruption while Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) alleged that economic saboteurs deliberately frustrated the government’s effort to make the refineries to work so they continue to benefit from fuel importation.

Idiat Adebule (APC, Lagos) wondered why the nation keeps putting money into the rehabilitation of refineries annually when they remain non-functional.

The Deputy Senate President said that had the refineries working, the country would not be experiencing the current economic hardship.

Barau said, “So, it is therefore very important that a thorough investigation should be done to make sure that everything that we need to know is brought open to us.

“Who are those who are sabotaging the efforts of government? Anybody who has a hand, sabotaging the efforts of the government to bring these refineries into operation and those who have taken money that is meant to turn around these refineries must be brought to book. We must know them and decisive actions must be taken.”

https://punchng.com/senate-probes-n11-35tn-spent-on-rehabilitation-of-refineries/?amp

So what was the outcome of this investigation in 2023 that the senate has not shared with the public up until now?

I thought the report of the investigation should have been submitted within 4 weeks. But over 6 months later, nothing!

Nigerians should start asking questions.

Freedom of Information Act.

So historically the president also doubles as the minister of petroleum or something along that line.

Burning questions.

1) Which companies were contracted to execute the turnaround maintenance of refineries between 1999 till date?

2) Who are the owners/directors of these companies and who are their associates in the federal government?

The answer to the above questions will tickle your fancy. I pity Nigerians who are still wasting their time taking sides and heaping their hopes on political prostitutes!

Unite and put these people under pressure to serve you. Wake up!

Just looking to collect their own share I guess. If not, what has happened to previous probes?

COMRADES, joke, toothless bulldogs

CodeTemplarr:
Just looking to collect their own share I guess. If not, what has happened to previous probes?

Nothing. And nobody is pressuring them.

Nigerians never ready yet.

This thread will keep trending till it burns into the consciousness of every nairalander visiting this section.

OkCornel:
This thread will keep trending till it burns into the consciousness of every nairalander visiting this section.

You'd think the mods would have frontpaged it already, but they haven't.

Myndd44 and co, where are you?

Colossal fraud

Connect the dots and see the select few robbing you blind.

Fraud extraordinaire

Why are the refineries not working?

11.35 trillion naira spent on comatose refineries. The senate has investigated but shared no reports with Nigerians!

Shameless old thiefs

Ttipsy:
Shameless old thiefs

I hope they can use the money to bribe God and enter heaven.

Brainless fools

And when is the Senate investigating it own corruption because it is a case of kettle calling pot black.

Racoon:
And when is the Senate investigating it own corruption because it is a case of kettle calling pot black.

Gbam!

Stealing the country blind. Leaving behind a legacy of corruption.

A generation of hypocrites and thieves

After spending over $40 billion on maintaining refineries that did not produce a litre of fuel, they want to transfer them to private operators.

That’s very good BUT!

The money spent on Turn Around Maintenance must be accounted for!

The investigation report of the Senate in 2023 must be made public!

OkCornel:
Why are the refineries not working?

The refineries were not built to work.

We went to Russia to get people to build refineries for us and expect Russia that wants you to buy oil from them to build you refineries that work!

That's like asking the association of generator sellers to build you NEPA, and your are surprised you have no light. Or getting a mechanic who wants to sell you a car to certify the car is in good condition.

If Nigeria wants refineries that work, Nigerians would need to stop being naive and learn to say "let there be refineries" so refineries are.

That is what Dangote has done, and is why we ought to celebrate him.

OkCornel:


I hope they can use the money to bribe God and enter heaven.

Brainless fools

The brainless fools are the ones who believe in heaven. Those who sell you gods and heaven are more interested in a heavenly life on earth.

budaatum:


The refineries were not built to work.

We went to Russia to get people to build refineries for us and expect Russia that wants you to buy oil from them to build you refineries that work!

That's like asking the association of generator sellers to build you NEPA, and your are surprised you have no light. Or getting a mechanic who wants to sell you a car to certify the car is in good condition.

If Nigeria wants refineries that work, Nigerians would need to stop being naive and learn to say "let there be refineries" so refineries are.

That is what Dangote has done, and is why we ought to celebrate him.

Between 1999 till date, the government has spent over $40 billion on “turn around maintenance” of its refineries with nothing to show for it.

Hence my question, why is our refineries not working?

Who should we hold accountable for the $40 billion spent on maintenance with no results to show for it?

OkCornel:


Between 1999 till date, the government has spent over $40 billion on “turn around maintenance” of its refineries with nothing to show for it.

Hence my question, why is our refineries not working?

Who should we hold accountable for the $40 billion spent on maintenance with no results to show for it?

The government will spend 80b on “turn around maintenance” and the refineries will still not work because they were never designed to work.

Its like you spending 80b on a car I sold you that has no engine or gear box. Until you learn about gear boxes and engines, your car is going nowhere. And even after you learn about gear boxes and engines, you'd only find out the car I sold you still wouldn't work because all the other materials I put in the car, including the seat and steering wheel, were not designed to work.

Besides, you know very well that the 'government' has not spent 40b on any "turn around maintenance”, but have spent it on turning around their own individual lifes.

Fuq! Do I seriously need to tell you of all people to be more cynical?

OkCornel:


Who should we hold accountable for the $40 billion spent on maintenance with no results to show for it?

Me. You. Nigerians. For being so ignorant!

And you don't need to bother holding us accountable, because we are already accounting for it by having to pay back the 40b we borrowed and not having any fuel.

budaatum:


Me. You. Nigerians. For being so ignorant!

And you don't need to bother holding us accountable, because we are already accounting for it by having to pay back the 40b we borrowed and not having any fuel.

And the thieves?

budaatum:


The government will spend 80b on “turn around maintenance” and the refineries will still not work because they were never designed to work.

Its like you spending 80b on a car I sold you that has no engine or gear box. Until you learn about gear boxes and engines, your car is going nowhere. And even after you learn about gear boxes and engines, you'd only find out the car I sold you still wouldn't work because all the other materials I put in the car, including the seat and steering wheel, were not designed to work.

Besides, you know very well that the 'government' has not spent 40b on any "turn around maintenance”, but have spent it on turning around their own individual lifes.

Fuq! Do I seriously need to tell you of all people to be more cynical?

The refineries that worked quite well in 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s were suddenly “not designed to work” from the late 90s till date?

OkCornel:


The refineries that worked quite well in 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s were suddenly “not designed to work” from the late 90s till date?

Those refineries did not work "quite well", apart from those built and owned by foreigners. Ever since Nigeria owned 60% of them from 1972 onwards, they've barely worked at all.

OkCornel:


And the thieves?

The thieves are me, you, Nigerians!

I stole by not properly guiding my 40b!

budaatum:


The thieves are me, you, Nigerians!

I stole by not properly guiding my 40b!

The thieves are the contractors and their cronies in government that spent over $40 billion on refineries that are not functioning right now.

Leave the masses out of this and call out the thieves and traitors.

budaatum:


Those refineries did not work "quite well", apart from those built and owned by foreigners. Ever since Nigeria owned 60% of them from 1972 onwards, they've barely worked at all.

Are you telling us Nigeria stopped refining crude oil locally from 1972 onwards?

OkCornel:


Are you telling us Nigeria stopped refining crude oil locally from 1972 onwards?

No, I'm not telling you "Nigeria stopped refining crude oil locally from 1972 onwards".

I'm saying, (though not telling you, as I expect you not to take my word for it and do your own research to confirm or debunk), that our refineries never worked to capacity they were built for, and never fully supplied Nigeria's fuel needs.

Our refineries are probably currently refining crude oil today, but likely just so little that it doesn't show on any radar.

One just need consider that we can't get the amount of crude oil out of the ground that we have the capacity for, how much less refine it, a process that requires much more brain cells.

From your post:

The government's reliance on foreign refining of crude oil has negatively affected the country's fuel supply and economic stability.

Our reliance on foreign refining of crude oil began before we built refineries.

OkCornel:


The thieves are the contractors and their cronies in government that spent over $40 billion on refineries that are not functioning right now.

Leave the masses out of this and call out the thieves and traitors.

I guess you'd want me to leave the masses me out of the consequences too, but I'm afraid I'm far too responsible for that as to leave me out of the cause of my own sufferings, especially when masses me is responsible for electing the cronies in government.

I should rather shine my eyes and not let cronies in government than shut them and lament about cronies in government that got there due to my willful blindness.