Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, as the new Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries.
Nwoko replaces the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away on July 27, 2024, in London, United Kingdom.
The ad-hoc committee was set up on October 24, 2023, to probe the funds spent on refinery maintenance with no significant change in the nation’s refining capacity.
The committee was mandated to investigate the turnaround maintenance of the Federal Government-owned refineries, including reviewing all contracts awarded for their rehabilitation.
Late Ubah, upon his appointment, had promised to ensure transparency, accountability, and thoroughness in the investigation.
He stated, “Our goal is to uncover any mismanagement, corruption, or inefficiencies in the turnaround maintenance of the refineries and contract awards.”
He further emphasised the importance of site visits, stakeholder engagement, and gathering necessary information to make comprehensive recommendations to the Senate.
With the new Chairman, the Senate hopes the committee’s findings will promote accountability and improvements in refinery management in the country.