NECA Urges FG to Audit Refinery Rehabilitation Contracts Before New Deal
Abuja, Nigeria, May 7, 2026
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has called on the Federal Government to investigate previous refinery rehabilitation contracts before entering into fresh agreements for the nation’s refineries.
Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made the call while reacting to the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between NNPC Limited and Chinese firms for the restart, completion, and expansion of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
Oyerinde stated that although functional refineries remain critical to Nigeria’s economy, the country cannot ignore years of unsuccessful rehabilitation projects that consumed billions of dollars without delivering sustainable refining output.
According to him, endorsing another refinery agreement without proper accountability for previous spending would be inappropriate, especially given the nation’s current economic realities.
He noted that between 2010 and 2023, Nigeria reportedly spent over ₦11 trillion, estimated at about $25 billion, on refinery rehabilitation, maintenance, and turnaround programmes, while state-owned refineries remained largely unreliable and non-functional.
The NECA Director-General stressed the need for transparency and urged NNPC Limited to provide Nigerians with clear information regarding previous expenditures, audits conducted, and the current status of the refineries before embarking on new partnerships.
He added that ensuring accountability and value for money is essential to restoring public confidence and preventing further wasteful spending in the oil and gas sector.
