The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has called for transparency, accountability and community inclusion in the planned rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries following a recent agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and two Chinese company.
Speaking on the issue, on May 6, 2026, YEAC-Nigeria acknowledged the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NNPCL, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited, and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd., describing it as a potentially significant step toward reviving Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.
According to the group, a functioning domestic refining sector is critical to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, cutting clandestine subsidy costs, creating jobs for Nigerians, particularly youths in the Niger Delta and the fight against oil theft and artisanal refineries.
However, YEAC-Nigeria stresses that the success and sustainability of this MoU must not be measured only by the resumption of crude refining. It must also be measured by transparency, environmental responsibility, and direct benefits to host communities.
The organisation urged that full details of the MoU be made public in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) framework, and the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
It said disclosure of the cost structure, financing model, ownership arrangement, roles of the Chinese partners, and project timelines is essential to building public trust.
The group also emphasised the need for meaningful engagement of host communities. “Host communities in Eleme, Okrika, Warri South, and surrounding areas must be meaningfully engaged from planning to implementation.
We insist on a clear local content plan that prioritizes skilled and unskilled employment for Niger Delta youths to provide a lawful alternative to illegal refining and reduce pipeline vandalism”.
On environmental standards, YEAC-Nigeria urged the adoption of modern, low-emission technologies in the refinery upgrades.
“The era of gas flaring and toxic discharges into waterways and atmosphere must end.
We call on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to ensure strict compliance and independent monitoring of both NNPCL and its Chinese partners on these refineries rehabilitation projects”.
The organisation further highlighted the importance of aligning the refinery rehabilitation with Nigeria’s broader energy transition goals.
It recommended incorporating cleaner energy solutions and providing training opportunities for youths in renewable energy and green technology.
As part of its recommendations, YEAC-Nigeria called for the establishment of a Community Stakeholders Engagement Forum involving traditional leaders, youth representatives, civil society groups, and women organisations.
According to the group, such a platform would facilitate regular dialogue, promote accountability, and help prevent potential conflicts.YEAC-Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the process and holding all parties accountable in the interest of communities in the Niger Delta.
