The Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance has described the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NNPCL and two Chinese firms as a major step toward improving Nigeria’s energy security and reducing dependence on imported fuel.
The group said the agreement could transform Nigeria’s struggling refining sector if authorities implement it transparently and sustain political support.
Group Sees Hope for Refinery Revival
In a statement issued on Friday, the Chairman of the group, Collins Eshiofeh, said the partnership involving Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Company Ltd could become a turning point for Nigeria’s refinery operations.
He noted that the agreement focuses on rehabilitating, restarting and expanding the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
According to the group, Nigeria has spent billions of dollars on failed refinery rehabilitation projects over the years without achieving stable refining output.
Nigerians Remain Skeptical
The group admitted that many Nigerians still doubt refinery revival promises because of repeated disappointments from past administrations.
“Over the years, Nigerians watched huge sums disappear into repeated turnaround maintenance projects with little to show for it,” the statement said.
It added that many refinery restart announcements collapsed shortly after operations resumed.
Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna have operated below capacity for years. The situation forced the country to rely heavily on imported petroleum products despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer.
Chinese Firms Bring Technical Experience
The group said the latest agreement appears different from previous attempts because of the technical strength and industrial experience of the Chinese companies involved.
It pointed to major Chinese-backed projects in Nigeria, including the Abuja-Kaduna railway, Lagos-Ibadan rail line and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
According to the organisation, the refinery partnership goes beyond routine maintenance and aims to reposition Nigeria’s downstream sector for long-term sustainability.
“This is not merely another repair exercise,” the statement added.
MoU Not Yet a Final Contract
The group also clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding remains a preliminary framework for future cooperation.
It stressed that the agreement should not be mistaken for a final contract award or immediate spending commitment by NNPCL.
The organisation urged stakeholders to monitor implementation closely to ensure the project delivers meaningful results for Nigerians.
