BY Taiwo George
Ayuba Wabba, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says the four government-owned petroleum refineries are among the best in the world.
Ayuba said capacities of the refineries could be turned around and upgraded through an effective turn around maintenance.
Citing the example of Niger Republic, where one of the best refineries was reportedly built within a year, he said nothing stops the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from doing same.
“Despite the poor state of the country’s four refineries, they are still considered some of the best in the world,” he said.
“While it is regrettable that bad governance, misplaced priorities and corruption have almost killed the petroleum industry, we believe a serious government can revamp the industry within one year.
“There are examples of countries, especially neighbouring Republic of Niger, where one of the best refineries was built within a year. Nothing stops this government from doing same.”
Ayuba also wondered why some oil companies operating in Nigeria decide to build refineries abroad.
“We will not accept a situation where major oil companies operating in Nigeria will have refineries in other countries where they ship our crude for refining and sell what they refined from our crude through importers of petroleum products to our country. Why have they not built their own refineries in Nigeria?” he asked.
“It makes no common sense that this situation continues. While our resources are enriching other countries and creating jobs for citizens of other countries, our country and citizens are groaning under high currency exchange rates, deepening unemployment and infrastructural collapse.”
Ayuba lamented over the current fuel scarcity across the country, and urged the government to find a lasting solution. He sought the intervention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the situation, threatening that workers might be asked to stay away from work if concrete steps are not taken.
“We are disturbed by the recurring scarcity of petroleum products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol, which has caused long queues at some fuel stations that are selling while many more closed their gates with claims of non-availability of the product,” he said.
“Nigerians are yet to be told what the cause of the current scarcity is; we however believe government will not allow any individual or corporate organisations sabotage efforts to restore sanity and good governance in all facets of our society as it is obvious the ongoing scarcity is a calculated sabotage by petroleum marketers to sell the products at high prices for more profits.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) must immediately intervene in the current hardship imposed by the scarcity of petroleum products.
“We also call on government to strongly intervene by sending out appropriate agencies, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources, to enforce the sale of the products as some marketers have been reported to be hoarding the products. We will be compelled to tell workers to stay at home if the scarcity persists.”
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