The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to create a framework integrating local refiners into Nigeria’s oil production process.
The decision followed a motion by Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, who highlighted the potential of local refineries to boost revenue, increase local content, and combat energy shortages.
According to Ozodinobi, the government’s neglect of these refiners has perpetuated environmental degradation and economic hardship in the Niger Delta, where artisanal refining thrives despite being unregulated.
He urged the government to shift from punitive measures to regulatory support, aligning with advanced economies that encourage indigenous refining practices. Lawmakers also underscored the need to avoid stigmatizing local refiners as ‘oil thieves’ and to recognize their economic contributions.
The House unanimously voted for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to study and propose a legal framework for incorporating artisanal refiners, potentially easing Nigeria’s reliance on crude exports and increasing local fuel production capacity.