The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit its rehabilitated refineries following his recent criticism of the $2 billion investment in the facilities.
Obasanjo, during a television interview, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
He pointed to the significant historical challenges faced during his own administration in attempting to revive Nigeria’s refining capacity, while questioning the effectiveness of the current investments.
“I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than two billion dollars have been squandered on the refinery, and they still will not work,” Obasanjo remarked.
He added that if the refineries were functioning, there would be no need for foreign investors like Aliko Dangote to build his own refinery.
In response, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, acknowledged Obasanjo’s esteemed position but defended the current progress, emphasizing the company’s transformation from a loss-making entity to a profit-driven global energy player.
He reassured the public that the rehabilitation efforts were substantial, involving comprehensive overhauls rather than mere Turnaround Maintenance, which had previously failed to yield lasting improvements.
Soneye credited the successes to the leadership of NNPC’s board, under CEO Mele Kyari, and the supportive energy policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He invited Obasanjo to personally inspect the refineries, stating that his vast experience and wisdom would be highly valued in assessing the progress made.
