A youth group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and major oil marketers for the decision to lift and distribute fuel from the Dangote Refinery to end users nationwide.
The group, known as APC Vanguard for Optimum Transparency and Accountability (APC-VOTA), also urged the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari, to fulfill his promises by ensuring the operationalization of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.
In a statement released on Wednesday, signed by the President, Engr. Shola Olatunji, and the Secretary, Amb. Waheed Isiaka, the group expressed optimism that patronizing locally refined petroleum products would stabilize the nation’s economy, strengthen the naira against foreign currencies, and discourage the importation of refined products.
“Aside from making the products available across the country, thereby preventing the usual artificial scarcity during the yuletide, lifting fuel from the Dangote refinery will also strengthen our currency against foreign currencies and help our economy recover,” the statement read.
“It will also protect Nigerians from buying adulterated and high-sulphur-density petroleum products currently being imported into the country by some unscrupulous oil marketers, under the watch of so-called regulators who prioritize their own interests over the welfare of the people.”
The group further noted that this decision would save the Nigerian government a staggering N24 trillion annually, as the country currently spends N2 trillion every month on importing petroleum products.
“This is a noble decision, and all of us at APC-VOTA wholeheartedly welcome this step, as it will improve the lives of Nigerians and alleviate the hardships many are currently facing,” the statement added.
However, the group expressed concerns over the continued dysfunction of the country’s local refineries and called on Kyari to act decisively.
They criticized Kyari’s inability to fix the ailing refineries despite the substantial funds allocated for their rehabilitation.
“It’s clear to all Nigerians that Kyari lacks the capacity to make the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries functional again,” the group stated.
“Despite trillions of naira being pumped into their rehabilitation, nothing has changed, and Kyari has run out of excuses.”
