Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has advocated local refining of crude oil as permanent solution to the perennial, and “embarrassing fuel scarcity in Nigeria,” saying “doing so will make fuel available and easily accessible to all Nigerians.
” Speaking when he received the executive members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in his office yesterday, the Speaker said every other measure tried had provided only a temporary solution to the menace. According to him, while consultation is ongoing on the part of leadership at different strata, the results will only achieve temporary relief until refineries are functioning enough to refine crude locally.
He said: “Unless we are able to refine crude locally, we will never be in a position as a nation to say bye to fuel scarcity and that is the truth. Anyone who thinks we can depend on importation and still solve this problem is deceiving himself.
“You see, when you import, you are depending on so many variables. These variables are not within your control and anything can happen along the line that may result in this. The solution is to refi ne crude locally and end this shame once and for all. The final solution will be to refine this crude, put it in the fi ling station and say bye to fuel scarcity.”
Speaking earlier, President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, while commending the House on its efforts at ensuring accountability and transparency in the oil and gas industry, “especially with the recent passage of the PIGB,” said the “fuel scarcity Nigerians are experiencing is embarrassing,” and sought the House’s collaboration for a lasting solution.
While calling for “timed revamping of the nation’s refineries,” he said all challenges associated with importation of refined products into the country should be addressed along with enhancement of infrastructure facilities.
