Expert urges transparency on new refinery contract
Abuja, May 2026 (TBL Africa) An economic expert, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, has called for accountability over the proposed refineries rehabilitation contracts between the Federal Government and two Chinese firms.
Ekechukwu made the call on Sunday in Abuja in an interview on Sunday
His call followed previous experiences where developments were shrouded in secrecy.
He was reacting to the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) with two Chinese companies to support the completion and operation of Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
The MoU signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Ltd. and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Company Ltd. in China, will support a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) arrangement, covering the refineries.
“Why are we engaging another contractor, though, on a different module, when we have not explained to Nigerians the taxpayers why the refineries did not work?”
Ekechukwu said the first thing would have been to provide explanations to Nigerians on why earlier rehabilitation efforts failed.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had spent 2.39 billion dollars under the previous administration to repair the two refineries.
Only the Port Harcourt Refinery appeared to be completed with production starting in November, 2024.
However, it was shut down in May 24, 2025, amidst controversy over the output from the refinery.
The NNPC Ltd. had said that it shut the refineries after internal reviews revealed that they were operating at ‘monumental losses” and destroying value for the country.
Ekechukwu, however, questioned why previous contractors who handled refinery rehabilitation projects had not been investigated or sanctioned in spite of huge public funds allegedly expended on the projects without commensurate results.
“I think we are not sincerely addressing the issues of the refineries.
“If monies have been expended by previous contractors and they did not deliver the finished jobs, why are we not summoning them, why are we not asking for refund, why are we not asking them what their reasons for not delivering were?” he said.
Ekechukwu further underscored the need for accountability, saying those responsible for failed contracts should face appropriate sanctions where necessary.
“Before engaging the Chinese, why are previous contractors not in jail now?” he asked.
He expressed support for the Technical Equity Partnership arrangement, noting that a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-style model could help revive the country’s refineries if properly managed.
“I do not mind the equity partnership, which sounds like a PPP arrangement, if that will make our refineries work again,” he added.
The expert urged the government to exercise caution in negotiating and implementing such partnerships to safeguard Nigeria’s national assets and strategic interests.
“We should be circumspect on how we hand over our country’s assets to the Chinese,” he cautionef.
