By Priye Briggs
The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) has welcomed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) partnership with Chinese firms to revive the Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries, describing it as a decisive break from past failed rehabilitation efforts.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Engr. Legborsi Yamaabana, the group commended NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and his management team for signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. The deal covers completion, restart, expansion, and sustainable operation of the two refineries.
Yamaabana, who is also President-General of the Ogoni Youth Federation, said the “Technical Equity Partnership” represents a shift from previous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) programmes that consumed billions of dollars without results. He described the new model as commercially driven, anchored on technical expertise, operational efficiency, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
While applauding the development, NDENYLF urged the Federal Government, NNPCL, and their Chinese partners to move quickly from agreement to execution. “Nigerians have heard many promises over the years; what they now expect are functional refineries that will strengthen the nation’s economy,” Yamaabana stated.
The Forum noted that successful implementation would restore domestic refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported fuel, conserve foreign exchange, create thousands of jobs, drive technology transfer, expand the petrochemical sector, boost government revenue, and improve energy security.
As representatives of oil-producing communities, NDENYLF also called on host communities to support legitimate investments, stressing the need for transparency, environmental responsibility, genuine community engagement, and strict adherence to local content laws. “The Niger Delta has remained the backbone of Nigeria’s economy for decades. It is therefore imperative that this investment translates into sustainable development, employment opportunities and shared prosperity for both the region and the nation,” the statement added.
The Forum congratulated Ojulari and NNPCL management for the initiative, expressing hope that it would end the cycle of failed refinery rehabilitation and reposition Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector for growth. “The Nigerian people are watching. The Niger Delta is hopeful. The time for implementation is now,” Yamaabana concluded.