The Senate plenary on Tuesday was marked by a tense exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West) over the operational status of the Port Harcourt refinery, a matter that has sparked widespread controversy.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently announced that the refinery had resumed operations. However, this claim has been met with skepticism by industry experts and Nigerians, many of whom question the facility’s actual operational capacity.
During discussions on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), Senator Wadada raised concerns, pointing to “technical issues” regarding the refinery’s status. He urged the Senate to step in and investigate the conflicting reports.
In response, Senate President Akpabio stated that an ad hoc committee would be set up to look into the matter, adding, “The government has been commended for restarting the refinery. If there are concerns, they should be brought up as a motion during plenary, not as a social media statement.”
This comment drew a sharp reaction from Senator Wadada, who objected, saying, “With due respect, don’t associate me with the issue of social media.”
Wadada went on to reveal that he had previously submitted a written report to Akpabio three months ago regarding revenue tax concerns but had received no action or response.
Akpabio, in turn, stated that he had reviewed Wadada’s submission and maintained his earlier advice: “Your concerns should be presented as a formal motion during plenary for proper deliberation and resolution.”
Despite the exchange, Akpabio assured the Senate that an ad hoc committee to investigate the Port Harcourt refinery’s operations would be constituted during an executive session.
The debate underscores growing concerns over transparency in the operations of Nigeria’s refineries, which have long been plagued by inefficiencies. With Nigerians anxious for relief from the high cost of fuel imports, questions surrounding the refinery’s true status are expected to remain a contentious issue in the coming weeks.
