Mariam Abeeb
A Civil Society Organization, CSO, The Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance, NCWGG has hailed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU , between Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC and two Chinese firms — Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. — for the rehabilitation, restart, and expansion of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
This was made known in a press statement signed by Chairman, Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance (NCWGG), Collins Eshiofeh , in Abuja.
He explained that after thorough review of the scope, the strategic context, and the calibre of partners involved, they have come to a clear conclusion that the agreement represents a bold, forward-looking step that, if faithfully executed, will fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, strengthen energy security, create mass employment and stop the recurrent haemorrhage of scarce foreign exchange on fuel importation.
He emphasized that It is arguably the most consequential refinery intervention since the country’s return to democratic governance.
According to him , for decades, successive administrations and previous NNPC leaderships allocated and allegedly expended billions of dollars on turn-around maintenance and rehabilitation projects for our refineries.
He added that yet the result has been consistent failure, noting that the figures, aggregated from newspaper reports across the years, are staggering.
He explained that the defining difference this time lies in the calibre and proven capacity of the Chinese partners.
He stressed that China is not merely a country, it is the most consequential economic and industrial growth story of the 21st century.
He noted that Chinese firms dominate global infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy technology through a unique combination of world-class innovation, disciplined execution, and massive technical know‑how.
Eshiofeh assured that they do not merely sign agreements but deliver functional, competitive, state-of-the-art facilities, on schedule and at scale.
”Concrete examples abound across Nigeria. The Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge railway, delivered by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, now moves millions of passengers yearly along a corridor previously notorious for fatal road accidents.
“Importantly, we understand that MoU is a preliminary, non-binding agreement that reflects the mutual intention of the parties to explore areas of collaboration and jointly develop a framework for partnership. It is not an award of contract, nor does it commit NNPC Ltd to any further rehabilitation expenditure.
“The immediate next step is for both parties to work collaboratively to define the detailed commercial, technical, and operational framework that could guide any future incorporated joint venture arrangement. This is the very definition of commercial prudence and transparency, not the opaque instant contracts of the past,” he noted.
He mentioned that Nigeria possesses some of the finest and most sought-after crude oil grades, notable for low sulphur content and high yields.
He added that the dollars spent annually on fuel imports constitute one of the heaviest weights dragging down the naira and fuelling inflation.
While acknowledging the monumental investment of the Dangote Refinery, he stated Dangote is a private business venture, not a government-owned national asset.
The CSO chairman said that the strategic energy security of 200 million Nigerians cannot be entrusted to a single private entrepreneur, no matter how patriotic or well-meaning.
He stated that Nigeria must have functioning state-owned refineries, operated by competent partners, to guarantee uninterrupted supply, price stability, and national sovereignty over our energy future.
He commended the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and his management team, noting that the GCEO is a thoroughbred upstream professional who has spent his entire career in the demanding technical environment of the upstream sector.
According to him, the GCEO understands the science, the engineering, and the discipline required to make complex petroleum projects work.
The Chairman of NCWGG urged Nigerians to sit tight and watch the good that will unfold from this landmark deal, assuring that the flaring stacks of Port Harcourt and Warri will not be staged for cameras.
He added that they will burn steadily as a symbol of a nation finally refining its own crude, reclaiming its economic dignity, and restoring hope.
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