Akpabio and Nasarawa Senator Clash Over Port Harcourt Refinery

• Senate President Godswill Akpabio announces the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate the operational status of Port Harcourt refinery
• Senator Wadada raises concerns about refinery operations during plenary, urging Senate intervention to clarify the refinery’s actual operational status

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West) engaged in a heated exchange during a Senate plenary session on Tuesday over the operational status of the Port Harcourt refinery.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had commenced operations.

However, the announcement has sparked widespread skepticism, with many Nigerians, including oil industry experts, questioning the refinery’s operational status.

During the plenary, Akpabio disclosed that the Senate would form an ad hoc committee to investigate the claims surrounding the refinery’s kick-off.

Senator Wadada raised concerns about “technicalities in the operations of the Port Harcourt refinery” and called for the Senate’s intervention to ascertain the facts.

He brought up the issue while contributing to discussions on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Akpabio responded by noting that the government had been commended for the refinery’s alleged kick-off. He advised Wadada to formally present his concerns as a motion during plenary rather than treating it as a “social media presentation.”

Visibly displeased, Wadada countered Akpabio’s remark. “With due respect, don’t associate me with the issue of social media,” he stated.

The senator further accused Akpabio of inaction, claiming he had previously submitted a written concern regarding revenue tax three months ago, which had not been addressed.

In his defense, Akpabio explained that he had reviewed Wadada’s earlier submission and reiterated that any new concerns should be presented as a motion for proper deliberation.

Akpabio assured the Senate that the ad hoc committee to investigate the Port Harcourt refinery’s operations would be constituted during an executive session.

The findings of this committee would then be presented to the Senate for consideration.

The disagreement highlights growing concerns over the transparency and accountability of the refinery’s operations, with both senators emphasizing the need for clarity on the matter.