From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A pressure group in the All Progressives Congress (APC), APC Vanguard for Optimum Transparency and Accountability (APC-VOTA), has tasked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to fix the country’s refineries.
The group, in a statement by its President, Shola Olatunji, and Secretary, Waheed Isiaka, said fixing the refineries would positively impact the country’s economy.
Consequently, it said the NNPCL must deliver on its promises to make the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries operational.
Furthermore, the group hailed the NNPCL and major oil marketers for deciding to lift and distribute fuel from the Dangote refinery to end users across the country.
It stated that patronising locally refined petroleum products would boost the country’s economy, as the naira would gain significantly against foreign currencies.
“Aside from making the products available across the country, thereby defeating the usual artificial scarcity during the Yuletide, lifting from the Dangote refinery will also strengthen our currency against foreign currencies and help our economy recover.
“It will also save Nigerians from buying adulterated and high-sulphur density petroleum products currently being imported into the country by some unscrupulous oil marketers, under the supervision of so-called regulators who value their pockets more than the welfare of the people.
“Above all, this will save the Nigerian government a whopping N24 trillion yearly, as it currently imports petroleum products by paying N2 trillion every month.
“This is a noble decision, and all of us at APC-VOTA welcome this step wholeheartedly, as it will improve the lives of Nigerians and reduce the hardship currently being faced,” the group said.