In a scathing review of the financial records and operational efficacy of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Senate has called for transparency and accountability in the staggering sum of N12 trillion spent on the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) projects for the Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna refineries over the past 13 years.
During an interactive session with the NNPCL management and other oil sector executives, the Senate ad hoc committee expressed deep concern over the substantial investment made in TAM without tangible results. The committee revealed records indicating over $592 million, €4.8 million, and £3.4 million expended on TAM from 2010 to date, with none of the refineries achieving operational status.
Senator Isa Jibrin, Chairman of the ad hoc committee, emphasized the need for accountability and solutions to the persistent challenges faced by the refineries. He stated, “We will ask for a refund and dismissal of all the chief executives involved in the Turn Around Maintenance.”
Jibrin expressed frustration over delays in obtaining relevant documents from oil companies, raising suspicions about the transparency of the operations. He highlighted the incongruity of incurring operational expenses on non-functional facilities, calling for an explanation on the expenditure of N4.8 trillion between 2010 and 2020.
“These are issues that Nigerians want to know; they want solutions to all these leakages. We know they are leakages. We know and we will not hesitate to escalate it to the highest possible level, including the possibility of refund and outright dismissal of some of the heads of these agencies and possibly go to jail,” Jibrin affirmed.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi echoed the sentiment, demanding the appearance of chief executives in person rather than representation by their management teams.
Expressing displeasure, Senator Sumaila Kawu criticized the invitees for their understanding of civil service operations. He emphasized the gravity of the matter, stating, “We are not in the Senate for personal functions. We are representing the entire legislature. You are in the civil service, we know how you are operating.”
As the investigation unfolds, the Senate remains committed to ensuring accountability and rectifying the apparent mismanagement of funds allocated to the critical refineries, reflecting the expectations and concerns of the Nigerian populace.
