The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive blueprint aimed at integrating indigenous refiners into Nigeria’s petroleum production value chain. This resolution came after the adoption of a motion moved by Deputy Minority Whip Mr. George Ozodinobi, highlighting the urgent need to reform and regulate the country’s petroleum production activities.
During the motion, Ozodinobi emphasized the constitutional necessity of harnessing national resources for the prosperity of the nation. He expressed concern over the significant loss of lives and revenues due to the government’s failure to recognize, regulate, and control artisanal refining, a practice that has been widespread in the Niger Delta for decades.
Ozodinobi referenced a 2016 proposal by the Federal Government to integrate artisanal refiners into the mainstream oil and gas sector. He argued that this initiative aimed to enhance local content and promote the use of home-grown technology for refining petroleum products in the region. He criticized policymakers for their neglect of the Niger Delta, which has suffered severe environmental degradation over the past seventy years, calling for a foundational support system for local technology to address Nigeria’s energy poverty.
He condemned the stigmatization of artisanal refiners as “oil thieves” and pointed out the negative environmental impact of the Nigerian Navy’s and other security agencies’ operations against artisanal refineries, which he described as unprofessional and damaging to the ecosystem.
Ozodinobi highlighted the stark contrast between Nigeria’s status as a major crude oil exporter and its reliance on imported finished petroleum products, emphasizing the ongoing fuel crisis and alleged conspiracies surrounding the Dangote Refinery as indicative of systemic issues.
In light of this discussion, the House unanimously supported the motion. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to create a regulatory framework that incorporates artisanal refiners into the formal crude oil production value chain, promoting indigenous technology and sustainable practices.