Senate Wants Total Overhaul Of Nation’s Refineries

The Nigerian Senate has called for a total overhaul and rehabilitation of the refineries operated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The red chamber made the call after Senator Yusuf Yusuf, who cited orders 42 and 52, moved a motion on the dilapidated state of the four refineries situated in Kaduna, Port-Harcourt, Lagos and Warri.

Senate resolves to:
1. Urge the NNPC to completely evaluate the dilapidated state of the refineries for total overhauling and rehabilitation to international standard and save the country from further wastages and spillages of its meagre resources; and

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) January 30, 2020

However, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan directed the Joint Committees on Downstream, Upstream and Gas to look into the issues raised and report to the Senate.

Recall that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, has continuously stated that the cooperation was committed to reviving its refineries to enable it deliver value across the oil and gas industry in the country.

Kyari had in September 2019 declared that the management of the corporation was tired of making excuses about the nation’s ailing refineries and gave assurance that the corporation would do all that was required to put the four refineries functioning at full capacity.

Following Kyari’s promise, the NNPC has gone into notable partnership with international oil giants to ensure the country’s refineries are returned to good working conditions.

In October, the NNPC welcomed the partnership with Saudi energy company, Aramco, to explore areas of collaboration for investments and revival of the nation’s refineries.

During the 2019 Russian African Economic Summit in Sochi, Russia, Kyari also noted the national oil firm was in talks with Russian firms, including state-owned company and private entities to revamp ailing refineries across the country.