Atiku Abubakar Demands Halt to NNPC's Refinery Deal with Chinese Firms

As a leading voice in Nigerian politics and a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has voiced strong opposition to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's (NNPC) recent "Technical Equity Partnership" with two Chinese firms, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. The Punch reports Abubakar's demand for an immediate suspension and thorough public examination of this deal, labeling it a "dangerous gamble" with Nigeria's economic future.

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We are demanding an immediate suspension and public scrutiny of the “Technical Equity Partnership announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited involving two Chinese firms, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.

Abubakar's statement, issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, criticizes the administration of President Bola Tinubu for allegedly attempting to "mortgage critical national assets" through "opaque arrangements." He points to the history of failed refinery rehabilitation projects, citing over $2.5 billion wasted, and expresses dismay that Nigerians are being asked to trust another "experiment built on secrecy and questionable competence." This sentiment reflects a deep-seated concern among many Nigerians about the transparency and efficacy of government dealings, particularly concerning vital economic resources.

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It is both shocking and insulting that after wasting over $2.5 billion on endless refinery rehabilitation scandals, the NNPC is once again asking Nigerians to trust another experiment built on secrecy and questionable competence.

Furthermore, Abubakar raises serious questions about the technical capabilities of the involved Chinese companies. He asserts that independent assessments suggest neither Sanjiang Chemical nor Xingcheng possesses the necessary pedigree or experience to manage complex crude oil refineries like those in Port Harcourt and Warri. While Sanjiang is noted as a petrochemical company, its specialization lies in areas other than full-scale crude oil refining. Xingcheng, described as an industrial park and infrastructure management company, apparently lacks verifiable experience in petroleum engineering or refinery operations. This skepticism about the partners' qualifications is central to Abubakar's argument, suggesting that the deal may be driven by factors other than genuine technical expertise, potentially jeopardizing Nigeria's energy infrastructure.

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There is no publicly available evidence anywhere in the world showing that Sanjiang has ever built, operated, or managed a full-scale crude oil refinery of the magnitude and complexity of Port Harcourt or Warri refineries.