NGF chair, Fayemi criticizes FG’s approval of $1.5bn for rehabilitation of P-Harcourt refinery

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chair, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that more information is needed to justify the rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt refinery.

It will be recalled that the Federal Executive Council had on March 17 approved the sum of  $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery which is expected  to commence immediately.

According to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timpre Sylva, the first phase will be completed in 18 months which takes the refinery to a production of 90 per cent of its capacity, the second phase will be completed in 24months, while the final phase will be completed in 44months.

However , the Ekiti state governor, Fayemi who spoke on Friday while featuring on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, censured  the planned project, noting  that a private refinery built by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote is underway.

In his words, “I wouldn’t have taken that decision given the fact that we know that a big refinery, private-sector driven is coming on stream but I don’t have the information that led to that decision at first.

“When you are outside a decision-making frame, there is some information that may not be available to you if you look at it at the pure face value. It may not be justifiable but we don’t have all the information responsible for that decision.”

The contractor approved by the Federal Government to repair the infirm refinery, as learnt is an Italian E and EPC company who won the bid to handle the rehabilitation project.

It was also learnt that the maintenance which is a recurring challenge for the nation’s refineries was elaborately discussed at the Federal Executive Council two days ago as the Federal Government intends employing a professional to manage the refinery after the rehabilitation.