NNPCL Under Fire as $897m Warri Refinery Revamp Fails—Another Case of Government Waste and Corruption?
Warri Refinery Shutdown Exposes NNPCL’s Deception, While Port Harcourt Struggles at 40% Capacity
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is once again embroiled in controversy as revelations emerge that the $897.6 million “revamped” Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) has been non-operational since January 25, 2025—barely a month after former Group CEO Mele Kyari boasted of its revival.
This latest failure raises serious questions about the transparency, accountability, and competence of Nigeria’s state-run oil sector, further fueling suspicions of systemic corruption and mismanagement.
A Refinery Built on Lies?
An exclusive document obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveals that the Warri refinery, which consumed nearly $900 million in taxpayer funds for rehabilitation, was shut down due to critical safety faults in its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) Main Heater.
This contradicts NNPCL’s earlier claims that the facility, commissioned in December 2024, was operational at 60% capacity. President Bola Tinubu had even commended the NNPCL for this “achievement,” only for the refinery to collapse weeks later.
Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt Refinery—another $1.5 billion rehabilitation project—has been operating below 40% capacity since its supposed revival in November 2024, despite NNPCL’s claims of 70% functionality.
A History of Failed Promises and Wasted Billions
Warri Refinery: Shut down in January 2025 after just one month of operation.
Port Harcourt Refinery: Producing far below capacity, with zero PMS (petrol) output in March and April 2025.
Repeated Deadlines Missed: The Port Harcourt refinery had seven postponements before its “launch,” yet remains inefficient.
Industry experts argue that these failures are not mere technical issues but a deliberate ploy to siphon public funds.
Experts React: “It’s a Scandal!”
Dan Kunle, a former adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum, described the refinery rehabilitation as “a scandal”, accusing the NNPCL leadership of deceiving Nigerians with propaganda.
“They never completed any project. The refinery rehabilitation is a fraud. Public officers use our money to lie to us while they enrich themselves,” Kunle stated.
Bala Zaka, a petroleum analyst, noted:
“If these refineries were truly working, fuel prices would have dropped. Instead, Nigerians are still suffering while a few officials profit.”
Corruption at the Core?
Where Did the $897m Go? No tangible results despite massive spending.
Media Propaganda: NNPCL officials staged “tours” and took “samples” of petrol to create a false impression of functionality.
Silence from NNPCL: Spokesperson Femi Soneye refused to comment when confronted with evidence of the refinery’s failure.
Marketers Demand Accountability
Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), called for a state of emergency in Nigeria’s refinery sector.
“How can a refinery that gulped $900m fail in one month? People must be held accountable. This is economic sabotage!”
The Bigger Picture: A Nation Held Hostage by Corruption
This refinery scandal is just one example of Nigeria’s deep-rooted corruption problem:
Billions wasted on non-functional projects.
Government officials enriching themselves while citizens suffer fuel scarcity.
No consequences for those responsible.
Will Tinubu Act?
President Bola Tinubu, who praised the NNPCL’s “achievements,” must now answer:
Who approved these wasteful expenditures?
Why are Nigerian refineries still failing after decades of “repairs”?
When will those responsible be prosecuted?
Until then, Nigerians will continue to pay the price for a system designed to benefit the elite at the expense of the masses.
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