Nigeria’s House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the status of the $35mn Brass modular refinery in Bayelsa State, four years after public funds were committed to its construction, amid signs of prolonged inactivity at the project site.

The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Billy Osawaru (Edo State) at the plenary session of October 16, directing the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Upstream) and Local Content to carry out an inquiry and report within four weeks.

The refinery—planned to process 2,000 barrels per day (bpd)—was initiated in 2020 by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) under the federal modular refinery programme. The NCDMB holds a 30% equity stake, with the remaining 70% privately owned.

Lawmakers noted that the project, located in the Brass Free Trade Zone, received an initial funding commitment of $35mn but has shown no visible progress since its groundbreaking in December 2020. Despite government backing and local publicity at the launch, neither Atlantic International Refinery nor the NCDMB has provided an updated implementation report since 2022.

The Brass refinery was among 38 modular projects approved nationwide to boost local refining, curb crude theft, and reduce dependence on imported fuels. Only a handful—such as Waltersmith and Edo Refinery—are currently operational, while others face financial or regulatory setbacks.

Legislators said the probe aims to establish how the funds were utilised, determine the project’s viability under Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), and ensure accountability in the modular refinery initiative. They emphasised that reviving the Brass plant could help improve domestic fuel supply and support Bayelsa’s oil-producing communities.

The committees are expected to submit findings within four weeks, including recommendations on financing recovery and compliance with NCDMB oversight requirements.