The President of the Independent Downstream Committee (IDC), Shadiya, has blamed Nigeria’s struggling refineries on poor maintenance culture over the years. According to her, the country’s refineries were not properly serviced and upgraded, leading to frequent breakdowns and long periods of inactivity.
Shadiya explained that regular maintenance is critical for refinery performance, but this was often ignored or delayed. She noted that instead of preventive repairs, authorities waited until facilities completely failed before taking action, which increased costs and reduced efficiency.
She also pointed out that mismanagement and lack of accountability worsened the problem. Funds meant for maintenance were either insufficient or poorly utilized, leaving key equipment outdated and unreliable. This situation, she said, forced Nigeria to rely heavily on imported petroleum products.
The IDC president urged the government to adopt a strong maintenance culture and professional management approach. She stressed that consistent upkeep, transparency, and skilled manpower are necessary to revive Nigeria’s refineries and reduce fuel import dependence.
