The House of Representatives has launched a probe into the abandoned $35m Brass modular refinery project in Bayelsa State, four years after huge investment

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the state of the Brass modular refinery in Bayelsa State, following concerns that the $35m project has been abandoned despite significant financial commitments.

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The resolution came after a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Billy Osawaru, the lawmaker representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in Edo State, during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Titled “Motion of urgent public importance on the need to investigate the abandoned $35m modular refinery project in Brass, Bayelsa State, four years after a huge financial commitment to that effect,” the motion sought clarity on what became of the ambitious refinery scheme.

The Brass modular refinery, designed as a 2,000-barrel-per-day project, is being handled by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The project was intended to boost Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity, enhance local refining, and create jobs by encouraging indigenous participation in the petroleum industry.

Although construction was expected to begin in 2021, the project has stalled and is now reportedly under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraudulent practices.

Osawaru expressed deep concern that, despite the NCDMB’s $35m investment — an amount he said was “more than N50bn and enough to fund key components of the national budget” there is nothing on the ground to show any progress.

He said, “Despite this huge investment, the proposed modular refinery that was to be known as Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited was never set up.

Nothing is on the ground to show that huge financial commitments had been made.”

The Edo lawmaker recalled that the House had previously mandated a committee to investigate what he described as “monumental economic sabotage,” but no update has since been provided.

“In May 2024, a stakeholder submitted a petition to the EFCC urging the anti-graft organisation to probe the multi-million-dollar investments made by the NCDMB, among which was the Atlantic Refinery project. Yet, nothing has been heard,” he stated.

Osawaru warned that the continued inactivity of the Brass modular refinery project raises serious concerns about the management of public funds and the weakness of Nigeria’s oversight mechanisms.

When the motion was put to a voice vote by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, it received overwhelming support from lawmakers.

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The House subsequently referred the matter to its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) for further legislative action, giving them four weeks to submit their findings.