Energy expert Dr. Joseph Obele has dismissed growing opposition to the proposed refinery partnership with Chinese firms as politically motivated, saying many critics are opponents of President Tinubu’s reforms and beneficiaries of monopoly in the downstream sector.
Reacting to comments made on Arise Television by former OPSN President Dele Oye, Obele said constructive criticism is welcome but outright opposition to new refinery investments risks scaring off foreign investors and slowing industrial growth.
Obele, a lecturer in Energy Marketing at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and a member of the refinery host community, said the deal aims to expand refining capacity, create jobs, attract foreign direct investment, boost technology transfer, and strengthen energy security.
“Countries seeking industrial growth cannot afford to reject foreign investments capable of reviving critical sectors like refining, petrochemicals, and energy infrastructure,” he said.
He argued that some groups attacking the agreement are uncomfortable with broader participation because they have benefited for years from monopoly, import dependency, and limited competition in the petroleum industry.
Obele said President Tinubu’s administration is opening the sector to international partnerships and private investment to end decades of inefficiency in oil and gas. He added that more refinery investors would stabilize fuel supply, reduce pressure on foreign exchange, encourage competition, and lower consumer prices.
On concerns about technical competence and transparency, he said such issues should be handled through regulatory processes, negotiations, performance benchmarks, and monitoring, not public campaigns that undermine investor confidence.
Obele revealed that many host community members, including Alesa Eleme — host to the Port Harcourt Refinery — welcome the initiative after decades of neglect by NNPC Ltd. He said locals expect development, jobs, infrastructure, and skills acquisition from the new investment.
He advised Nigerians to support genuine investments that promote industrialization, employment, and energy sufficiency, and warned against politicizing developmental projects.
“No single refinery should dominate the nation’s energy market. Competition is essential for efficiency, price stability, innovation, and sustainability,” he said.
He urged NNPC Ltd. and the Chinese investors to ensure host communities get adequate equity consideration in the MoU.