Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s persistent refinery crisis, condemning the billions of dollars invested over the years with little to show for it.
In an interview with Arise News, the former governor of Edo State questioned why the nation’s refineries remain dormant despite successive governments allocating vast sums for their rehabilitation. He recounted a personal encounter with the late Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, during which he challenged him over unfulfilled promises of restoring the country’s refining capacity.
“I asked the late Rilwanu Lukman, a respected figure in the oil industry, what became of his commitment to revive the refineries. He had requested $500 million, yet over $23 billion was eventually spent, and the refineries remain comatose,” Oshiomhole stated.
The senator argued that the mismanagement of such enormous resources not only represents a colossal waste of public funds but also reflects a systemic failure in Nigeria’s oil sector. He emphasized that the inability to revamp the refineries has forced the country to depend heavily on imported petroleum products, a situation that continues to strain the economy.
Oshiomhole further highlighted the ripple effects of the non-functional refineries, pointing to widespread job losses, distortions in the downstream sector, and rising economic hardship for citizens. He described the situation as both unsustainable and unacceptable, urging greater accountability in the management of Nigeria’s oil assets.
His remarks have reignited public debate over the fate of the refineries, which despite multiple turnaround maintenance contracts, remain inactive and continue to drain public finances.Continue, Full, Reading>>>>
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