By Henry Umoru

ABUJA: The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has appointed Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) as the new Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the turnaround maintenance of the country’s refineries.

Senator Nwoko replaces the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South and previously chaired the committee.

The Senate established the ad-hoc committee on October 24, 2023, following concerns over the significant funds spent on refinery maintenance despite the continued dysfunction of the nation’s refineries.

The committee is tasked with investigating the turnaround maintenance of the refineries and reviewing all contracts awarded for their rehabilitation.

Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, upon his appointment, had pledged 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 emphasized the importance of site visits, stakeholder engagement, and gathering necessary information to make comprehensive recommendations to the Senate.

“I was honored to have been appointed as chairman of this important ad-hoc committee and was committed to ensuring the investigation would be thorough, fair, and lead to positive changes in the management of the nation’s refineries,” Ubah said.

The Senate hopes the committee’s findings will promote accountability and improvements in refinery management.