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Refining Fraud Through Oil
Refining fraud through oil
By Emeka Obasi
The Nigerian oil industry is a multi billion naira venture capable of creating one of the leading economies in the globe. It is the mainstay of robust nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait where results of transparency visit investors.
Unfortunately, this same Black Gold has become a curse in one of the largest oil producing nations of the world. There is nothing to show for the trillions of naira earned by successive governments, either military or civilian.
It is criminal that all the four refineries in Nigeria, with a capacity of 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) have been grounded since 2019. The two in Port Harcourt, one in Warri and another in Kaduna are not different from war relics, reminding compatriots of the pains of failed leadership.
The truth is that Nigerians have been told more lies by the government and Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Limited, than those who colonised Africa during the years of Imperialism. Deceit has become an official policy.
Port Harcourt refinery was built to turn out 210,000 bpd. There are reports that about 1.5 million dollars went into it in 2015 for Turn Around Maintenance (TAM). The only visible result is a moribund site that continues to create long lines in filling stations nationwide.
Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, made several attempts to show how much he cared about the people. He began to issue statements of fact, raising hope that Port Harcourt refinery was ready to roar back to life.
It is impossible to determine how many times those promises turned empty and evaporated through the rough creeks of the Niger Delta. Hope was raised, D Day fixed for December 2022. Nearly two years after, D Day has moved as many times as it takes water to pass under the bridge.
The Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company attracted positive attention when the Managing Director, Desmond Inyamah, announced a December 2023 date as definite period of production. There are worries that after another year, nothing has happened. The story in Kaduna is not different.
While Nigerians remain in perpetual agony, some politicians and importers are growing fatter, gaining from the corrupt system that allows crude oil to be exported, refined and brought back to the country at perilous costs.It takes only the devil to understand why an oil producing nation enjoys the death of its refineries.
The shame is that there are citizens who are blessed with the ingenuity to stem this robbery. During the Civil War, the only refinery was in the Garden City, under the breakaway Republic of Biafra. When Port Harcourt fell in May 1968, the war did not end.
Biafrans went to work. A new refinery was built in Uzuakoli, by the Petroleum Management Board (PMB). How striking that one former Nigerian Oil Minister chose the acronym, PMB. Another refinery emerged in Amandugba, through the Research and Production Board. It took impoverished and landlocked Biafra months to build two refineries. For decades, Nigeria in peace time, has been unable to maintain four refineries.
Dangote Refinery is here; why are we unhappy? By Dele Sobowale
Dangote Fallout: Scotland’s only oil refinery to close next year, 400 jobs to go
During the war, Biafra found an alternative to oil. Dr. Clement Onyemelukwe, regarded as the Father of Electricity in Nigeria led efforts to produce fuel from coal. Today, there are coal deposits in the Enugu area, no attempt has been made to think out of the box.
What Nigerians gain from oil is lamentation. When President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015, a litre of Premium Motor Spirit was less than 100 naira. He was Petroleum minister as a soldier. The first thing he did as Oil minister and President, was to hike the price astronomically.
His successor, President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Oil minister jumped from 165 naira per litre to over 600 naira per litre. Today, Nigerians are struggling to see fuel to buy at over 1000 naira per litre after yet another hike.
This price hike is strange, coming less than one year after the NNPC flaunted a three trillion naira profit. It is only in skewed climes that a company that made trillions in profit will blame fuel scarcity on debt it owed global partners.
Aliko Dangote has been in a cat and mouse game with the NNPC. His resolve to open a new refinery was met with blackmail, politics and all sorts of damaging stories. Behind the facade, is the feeling that he has come to block leakages that gave thieves access to free loot.
In 1999, Dangote and his friend Femi Otedola, pioneered Blue Star Consortium to acquire 75 percent stakes in Port Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries. They were frustrated. He is back with Dangote Refinery. The oil bandits are fighting him and punishing the people.
Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. If Biafrans could build refineries while killer bomber jets hovered around the them, why is the same not happening in Nigeria where there is no Civil War? It is obvious that those who decide our fate are killers of talent.
I feel so bad anytime news is made of government agencies raiding communities in the Niger Delta and destroying refineries. All the brains managing our oil feel threatened by the ingenuity of people who have no degrees in Petrochemical Engineering or any formal training but are able to do what government failed to do.
The world cannot understand how Nigerians continue to tolerate their leaders in big offices who relax at the back seat of fuel guzzling Sports Utility Vehicles while the masses spend days and nights watching over chaos in gas stations that grind them with high prices.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – As graduands gets convocated from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Good luck Jonathan, was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in recognition of her outstanding contributions to education, women empowerment, and public service.
The ceremony, which took place at the university’s main campus in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, was attended by dignitaries from across the country, including political leaders, academics, and members of the public. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, lauded Dame Jonathan’s enduring commitment to national development and her tireless efforts in advocating for girl-child education and woman right.
“Dame Patience Jonathan has, over the years, demonstrated a rare passion for service, education, and humanitarian work. Her philanthropic initiatives, especially in empowering underprivileged women, are worthy of emulation; said Professor Onuchuku during his address.
In her acceptance speech, Dame Jonathan expressed heartfelt gratitude to the university’s for the honor bestowed upon her. She dedicated the award to Nigerian women and pledge to continue championing causes that promote education and gender equality.
“This recognition is not just for me, but for every Nigerian women striving to make a difference. I remain committed to using my voice and platform to uplift others, difference. I remain committed to using my voice and platform to uplift others, particularly the girl-child,” she stated.
The honorary decorate highlights the former First Lady’s enduring legacy and the impact of her initiatives, including the women for Change Development initiative, which has empowered thousands of women across Nigeria.
The event marked a significant milestone in the university’s history and reaffirmed it’s commitment to recognizing individuals who have contributed meaningfully to societal progress.
By Favour Bibaikefie
Tomorrow, Friday, May 16, 2025, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone — covering Delta, Edo, and Ondo states led by Comrade Nicholas Igarama — will solemnly mark the 57th anniversary of Boro Day at Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, NPA Warri, Delta State. The event will feature a dynamic procession through the streets of Warri, followed by an insightful symposium aimed at celebrating and reflecting on the enduring legacy of Ijaw fallen hero, Major Isaac Adaka Boro.
Major Isaac Adaka Boro remains one of the most iconic figures in the history of the Niger Delta and the Ijaw nation. Born in 1938 in the Niger Delta region, Major Boro was a Nigerian nationalist, soldier, and activist who passionately championed the rights of his people long before Biafra Republic causes.
In February 1966, Major Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic — a bold and unprecedented move — in an effort to free the Niger Delta region from the exploitation and marginalization of the Niger Delta region by the Nigerian federal government in collution with multinational oil companies. Though short-lived, this declaration sparked a significant movement for self-determination, environmental justice, and economic fairness in the oil-rich region.
Boro’s armed struggle, sacrifices, and calls for equity continue to inspire generations of Ijaws and Niger Delta activists fighting for justice, resource control, and political representation.
Major Boro, who died in combat on March 9, 1968, remains a revered Niger Delta nationalist and freedom fighter.
The 2025 Boro Day Commemoration
This year’s Boro Day celebration in Warri will bring together Ijaw youths, community leaders, cultural groups, and sympathizers from across Delta, Edo, and Ondo states to honor Major Boro’s memory. The procession will wind through key parts of Warri, symbolizing unity and resilience among the Ijaw people.
Following the procession, a symposium will convene at Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, where distinguished speakers and historians will share insights on Major Boro’s impact and the ongoing struggle for the Niger Delta’s development and recognition.
While the Warri event is the focal point for the Western Zone, Ijaws worldwide will also hold events commemorating Major Boro’s sacrifice and vision, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of his legacy.
* Tompolo doesn’t spray money; he cannot be held accountable for actions of unknown individuals – Ozobo, IPDI
A leading Niger Delta activist Comrade Ozobo Austin who doubles as the National president of the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), has come forward to exonerate High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, from the recent allegations of monetary abuse levied by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
The Niger Delta activist emphasized that there is no concrete evidence supporting the claims presented in the controversial and manipulative viral video that Tompolo sprayed money. He asserted that it is unjust to hold Tompolo responsible for the misdeeds of others.
Comrade Ozobo further alleged that the EFCC has been misled by individuals involved in oil theft and by naive Nigerians whose motives are grounded in envy and jealousy.
He said Tompolo who has great respect for the country’s laws will not condescend low to abuse the law, adding that it would have been better for EFCC to have looked for the unknown individuals responsible for the abuse of the naira in the viral video than dragging the innocent man to disrepute.
The Niger Delta advocate warned mischief makers to invest their time into a meaningful ventures and pursue responsible causes rather than making propaganda against the innocent Tompolo.
He emphasised that Tompolo would not respond to social media critics and unschooled individuals who take joy in manipulating fellow brothers.
Ozobo urged EFCC to be a noble organization and not to allow evil men and unscrupulous social media influencers to instigate them into commenting on unnecessary issues that were capable of threatening the fragile peace of Niger Delta.