The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Solidarity Network has frowned upon the shabby state of the Port Harcourt Refinery project despite a $2 billion investment.
He warned against potential use of the refinery for importing and blending adulterated fuel as it would not only undermine the country’s economic interests but also poses significant environmental and health risks.
Its President, Olayemi Isaac, while speaking at a press conference, yesterday in Abuja, demanded accountability and justice for the missing funds and called for an immediate investigation into the matter.
Isaac condemned the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attempts to import refined products, calling it a smokescreen designed to deceive Nigerians.
He 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 in leadership, but a deliberate sabotage of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of its citizens.
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“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 naira 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.”
