AGS NEWS – The Nigerian Senate has expressed concerns about the $1.5 billion allocated in 2021 for the maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery, noting little progress.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, highlighted these issues during a session with stakeholders in Abuja on Wednesday.

Bamidele, who is also the Senate Leader, criticized the poor treatment of public enterprises compared to the success of private businesses.

ALSO READ: Port Harcourt refinery to begin operations in July

He pointed out that despite the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the $1.5 billion plan to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt Refinery, the facility remains non-functional.

He expressed frustration over the persistent challenges in the distribution and supply of refined petroleum products, citing long queues at filling stations and the heavy reliance on imports despite Nigeria’s significant crude oil production.

Bamidele also raised concerns about the importation of hazardous and substandard petroleum products and criticized the government’s repeated but ineffective investment in state-owned refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Warri.