By; IYOKPO J. EGBODO, Abuja
The House of Representatives committee investigating the investment of funds in the maintenance of the nation’s four refineries, and the allocation 445,000 barrel crude per day has asked the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to stop the planned $1.8billion Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries.
Leader of the committee, Hon. Garba Datti disclosed the decision of the committee was to allow for the outcome of the investigation, adding that the decision has been communicated to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, Maikanti Baru to that effect.
Briefing journalists on the committee’s planned line of action, Datti said “We have written to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, not to release any money for maintenance pending the outcome of our investigations”.
He said “in the course of our investigation we will find an amicable way of resolving the epileptic operations of the 4 refineries in the country”.
Also fielding questions on how long the it may take the panel to conclude its investigation, he said “the timeframe is three months bearing in mind that it’s a sensitive investigation that requires time, adding that despite the quantity of crude allocated to the four refineries, we still import finished products.
“Nigeria remains the only country that is a member of OPEC that imports fuel when it’s an oil producing country”, Datti said” vowing that the committee will ascertain the viability of continuing investments of public funds on the nation’s 4 refineries and allocation of 445,000 bpd crude utilisation for that purpose.
“Secondly, determine the current utilisation level of Warri, Kaduna and Portharcourt refineries and thirdly carry out a comprehensive investigation on the Turn Around Maintenance carried out to date in the four refineries”, as well as to identify the private and corporate individuals that have refused to utilize the licences (regular and modular), the readiness and status of all current holders”, among other things.
He said “in the course of our investigation we will find an amicable way of resolving the epileptic operations of the 4 refineries in the country”.
Also fielding questions on how long the it may take the panel to conclude its investigation, he said “the timeframe is three months bearing in mind that it’s a sensitive investigation that requires time, adding that despite the quantity of crude allocated to the four refineries, we still import finished products.
“Nigeria remains the only country that is a member of OPEC that imports fuel when it’s an oil producing country”, Datti said” vowing that the committee will ascertain the viability of continuing investments of public funds on the nation’s 4 refineries and allocation of 445,000 bpd crude utilisation for that purpose.
“Secondly, determine the current utilisation level of Warri, Kaduna and Portharcourt refineries and thirdly carry out a comprehensive investigation on the Turn Around Maintenance carried out to date in the four refineries”, as well as to identify the private and corporate individuals that have refused to utilize the licences (regular and modular), the readiness and status of all current holders”, among other things.
