NNPCL’s refinery pledge fails to halt surge in fuel imports

Fuel import expenses reached around ₦3 trillion between October 1 and November 11, putting the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) under close scrutiny.

During this time, Nigeria imported 13,500 metric tons of aviation fuel, 414,018 metric tonnes of diesel, and 1.5 million metric tonnes of gasoline, despite promises to rely on domestic refineries like the Dangote Refinery.

Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria (ERAN) Executive Director Dr. Robinson Onuh criticized the NNPCL’s leadership, calling the recent firings of senior executives a “face-saving manoeuvre.” The dismissal of a few officials is insufficient, Onuh stated. The main cause of the issues facing the energy sector is Farouk Ahmed, Mele Kyari, and other top regulatory bodies.

Citing enhanced corporate governance, NNPCL recently sacked Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Executive Vice President (Upstream) and Umar Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer.

“Kyari has made a U-turn on his pledge, demonstrating a lack of integrity,” Onuh said, accusing NNPCL of breaking its promises.

The activist emphasized the terrible condition of refineries owned by the government, such as those in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt.

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“Despite trillions being injected into these facilities, they are still in a coma, forcing Nigerians to put up with tainted fuel,” he continued.

NNPCL spokesman Olufemi Soneye responded by disputing allegations of a breach of promise and making it clear that Mele Kyari’s pledge was to give local refining priority rather than to totally stop imports.

ERAN warned that further mismanagement could make Nigeria’s economic problems worse and called for quick reforms to revitalize the nation’s failing refineries.

“To break this cycle of inefficiency, the government needs to put transparency and swift action first,” Onuh stated.

The need for accountability comes as Nigerians struggle with exorbitant fuel prices and restricted access to high-quality goods.