The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for the probe of the huge spending on the country’s four refineries, or face legal action after seven days.
The group expressed concern that despite the fact that Nigeria imports petroleum products, an indication that the refineries are basically not working; there are cases of “alleged corruption and mismanagement of public money budgeted for the rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of the refineries since 1999.”
In a statement signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, and the appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations without delay, and those responsible for the importation and distribution of dirty fuel into the country.
“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the resulting importation and distribution of dirty fuel and protracted fuel scarcity in the country.
SERAP noted that the government spends over N264billion annually to operate and maintain the country’s refineries. “Successive governments have reportedly spent trillions of Naira to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the refineries that have produced little or no fuel
“Your government reportedly spent $396million for maintenance of the country’s refineries between 2015 and 2020 alone. Despite this huge spending, millions of Nigerians continue to lack access to a full and unhindered supply of fuel.
“About N82.82 billion was reportedly spent in 2015; N78.95 billion in 2016; N604.127 billion in 2017; N426.66 billion in 2019; N218.18 billion in 2019, and N64.534 billion expenditure was recorded from January to June 2020.
“The importation and distribution of dirty fuel, and the current fuel scarcity across the country demonstrate the need for effective accountability measures to weed out, expose, and punish allegations of corruption in the sector, and to ensure justice and effective remedies for victims,” they said.
SERAP said corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector were responsible for the importation and distribution of bad fuel into the country two months ago.
“Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending on the refineries would be entirely consistent with constitutional guarantees and international standards.
It may also galvanize public support for your government’s anti-corruption efforts,” SERAP told Buhari.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
The group equally urged President Buhari to instruct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of public funds to rehabilitate, operate, and maintain the country’s refineries.
“SERAP is concerned that fuel scarcity in several parts of the country has subjected many Nigerians to harsh economic and social conditions, making them incapable of developing their abilities and realizing their potential.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Nigerians will be put through severe economic conditions, which may amount to torture or cruel or degrading treatment or punishment.”
“SERAP is concerned about the human rights impact of many years of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, the importation and distribution of dirty fuel, and protracted fuel scarcity, including the impact on the environment and harm to the many people whose vehicles were damaged as a result of adulterated fuel.
“The impunity of perpetrators has continued to expose Nigerians to a string of misfortunes: poor living conditions, ill-health, marginalization, and an inability to enter into the life of society and assume responsibilities.
“Ensuring justice and accountability in the spending of public funds on refineries which have for many failed to ensure the availability of petrol and access of economically and socially vulnerable Nigerians to their own natural wealth and resources would serve the public interest.”
“It would also be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and with your duty as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.”
Chidi Ekpewerechi
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