Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has called for the awarding of contracts for the maintenance and operation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries to oil and gas investors from the Niger Delta and northern regions.
Onuesoke’s appeal follows the recent public notice by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which invited Operations and Maintenance (O&M) companies to bid for the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
In a public notice shared on its official X handle, the national oil company outlined the qualifications required for companies interested in bidding for the contracts, emphasizing that this move aims to ensure reliability and energy security for the country.
The former PDP governorship aspirant argued that if there is any consideration for an investor to manage and operate the Warri refinery, Niger Delta oil and gas investors should be given the first and second rights of response, as well as the third right of choice, before operators from other regions in the country or overseas are considered.
“If there is any consideration at all, Niger Delta investors in oil and gas should be given the first right of response, the second right of response, and the third right of choice before considering operators from any other region of the country or overseas.
“They should prioritize Niger Delta investors who are active in the oil and gas sector because we have more capable individuals to handle the situation than any other region in this country,” he asserted.
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He further stated that his request is reasonable because awarding the contracts to Niger Delta indigenes would reduce operational costs since the investors would be closer to the location of the operation and have a better understanding of the situation on the ground.
“I am advocating for this because it will reduce operational costs, as the investors will be close to the location of the operation and have a better understanding of the situation,” he emphasized.
Onuesoke also requested that a similar approach be taken with the Kaduna Refinery, advocating for the appointment of northern investors as private operators.
He argued that it is preferable to have investors who reside in the area where the refinery is located manage the operation rather than bringing in foreigners.
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