Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The perennial delay in getting Nigeria’s four refineries operational is attributed to a lack of political will and import racketeering, according to an energy expert, Dr. Joseph Obele.
Speaking in an interview with SweetcrudeReports, Obele said the government’s inability to tackle the issue has resulted in the country’s continued reliance on imported fuel, despite having functional refineries.
The former Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, explained that powerful forces are working to maintain the status quo, ensuring that the refineries remain dormant and the importation racket continues unabated.
“The nation-owned refineries can only commence operations if there is a political will and sincerity of purpose. The lack of political will and sincerity of purpose is the major factor responsible for the delay in getting our local refineries operational.
“The importation of fuel in Nigeria is the biggest racketeering in our country, and such forces are capable of affecting the commencement of production at the refinery.
“When Nigeria’s refineries start production, the refinery in Malta and importers of petroleum products will be out of business.”
The expert’s comments come as NNPC Ltd recently announced another postponement of the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, the sixth of such delay.
Obele expressed frustration at the repeated broken promises, saying “Nigerians are tired of hearing numerous dates proposing the commencement of the Refinery. The recent announced date by NNPC for the commencement of Port Harcourt refinery is basically for the purpose of giving hope to Nigerians in the midst of economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.”
He also criticized the government’s failure to address the issue, saying “Leaders in our country kept lamenting about the roles of cabals regarding sabotaging the planned commencement of the Refineries, yet no leader is ready to mention the names of those cabals, maybe the cabals are spirits.
“The postponement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery to September 2024 is one of those excuses too many.
“The President of Nigeria announced a date for the commencement of Port Harcourt refinery to be December last year, the date failed. The GCEO of NNPC and Minister of Petroleum have likewise announced several dates that didn’t see the light of the day. Therefore, any new date given by whoever shouldn’t be taken serious, but as a joke with the psychology of Nigerians.
“It is becoming obvious that the factors responsible for the dormant status of our refineries are far from mechanical or technical issues. The core factor responsible for the delay could be related to the interest of importers of petroleum products from the international market.
“The Importation of fuel in Nigeria is the biggest racketeering in our country and such forces are capable of affecting the commencement of production at the refinery.
“Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said the refinery at Malta is the primary source of all refined petroleum products imported to Nigeria, yet Nigerians are not demanding for the unveiling of the owners of the said refinery in Malta.
“If and when Nigeria Refineries starts production, the refinery in Malta and importers of petroleum products will be out of business,” Obele said.
