Elites Responsible For Nigeria’s Non-Functional Refineries-Kyari
The Group Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari has blamed Nigerian elites for the nation’s nonperforming refineries.
Kyari,who spoke at the opening session of the 17th All Editors Conference, 2021, held in Abuja ,said since 1999, every attempt at the turn around maintenance of the refineries had been resisted by the elites in the country.
He also said most of the communities around oil and gas facilities are communities of thieves, adding that they serve as hide outs for people who vandalize oil facilities and those involved in oil bunkering.
He assured of a new NNPC and better performance of the corporation in the coming years, especially with the advent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He added:“Today, as we all know, Nigeria is in an energy deficit. We import all our petroleum products. In the past several years, every attempt to salvage our refineries has ended up in one misfortunate or the other.There have been so many factors responsible for this. However, I can assure you that things have changed and so many things are about to change. For the first time in history, NNPC and its subsidiaries are allowed to do things the way they should be done.
“I can confirm to you that we will fix those refineries. We have started the process. Contractors have been mobilised and I promise they will be delivered soon. You will see what we will deliver before the end of the year”, he assured..
He said it was a wrong strategy to have asked the builders to come and fix the refineries, he said with a change in approach, the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries would be fully rehabilitated before the end of December.
He decried the impact of insecurity in the oil and gas sector , adding that the corporation has succeeded in reducing crude oil theft from 20% to 4 %
He disclosed that there was an ongoing energy transition and less focus on fossil fuel and more focus on renewable energy.
“However, we advocate for energy justice. There must be energy justice. This means that countries should be allowed to move at their own pace in line with their energy reality”, he added.
In his earlier remarks, Mr. Mustapha Isah, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), implored media houses in the country to give less publicity to activities of terrorists and bandits.
He encouraged Editors to use their various media outlets in projecting the achievements of the gallant Nigerian military in the battle against insurgency.
“This forum has over the years provided news managers with the opportunity to put a searchlight on national issues with a view to proffering solutions.The country cannot continue this way. The media have to be part of the solution and be at the fore front of the war against terrorism.
“I want to pose a few questions: Should the media play up the occasional successes of insurgents and bandits against our military and other security agencies? Shouldn’t the media deliberately give adequate publicity to the gains of our dedicated military personnel against the bad guys disturbing the peace of this nation? Should we give more attention to the voices of those calling for division or those calling for unity?
