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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has commenced moves to kickstart the investigation of the abandoned $35 million modular refinery project in Brass, Bayelsa State, four years after the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) reportedly committed huge public funds to its establishment.
This decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on Wednesday by Hon. Billy F. Osawaru, who described the project as a “monumental economic waste” and a reflection of the country’s weak accountability framework.
Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Hon. Osawaru recalled that in 2020, the NCDMB invested the sum of $35 million (about ₦50 billion) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a modular refinery project to be sited in Brass, Bayelsa State. Shockingly, he said, there is nothing on the ground to show that such an investment ever materialised.
He explained that the project was conceived under the Federal Government’s initiative to promote modular refineries across the Niger Delta in a bid to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, create jobs, and enhance national revenue. The initiative was also aimed at curbing the environmental impact of illegal artisanal refining that had plagued oil-producing communities for years.
Osawaru, in moving his motion, noted that the immediate past administration initiated several modular refinery projects through the NCDMB to stimulate local refining capacity. He added that the current government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, has also placed premium importance on energy self-sufficiency, local content participation, and industrial growth.
He, however, expressed disappointment that despite the noble intentions behind the investment, the Brass refinery project has remained a mirage.
“This is a $35 million investment that should have been a game-changer for energy independence and youth employment in the Niger Delta. Yet, four years later, there is no structure, no progress, and no accountability,” Osawaru lamented.
He recalled that the House had previously shown interest in probing the project, but no substantial progress was achieved. He also referenced a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in May 2024, urging an investigation into NCDMB’s multi-million-dollar refinery investments, including the Brass project, which, to date, has yielded no visible result.
Osawaru warned that such prolonged inaction undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive and raises concerns over the management of public resources.
“The silence surrounding this project speaks volumes about the lack of transparency in managing investments made with taxpayers’ money. We cannot continue to fold our arms while critical projects of this magnitude vanish without explanation,” he said.
Following deliberations on the motion, the House referred the matter to the Committee on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
The committee is expected to summon officials of the NCDMB, representatives of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, and other key stakeholders to determine why the project remains unexecuted and to recommend measures to recover public funds where necessary.