President Bola Tinubu on Thursday assured that Nigeria’s refineries would not be allowed to waste away despite the challenges confronting the facilities.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would deploy research, technical assessment and restructuring to reposition the refineries for sustainable operations and profitability.
He spoke at the State House, Abuja, when he received the national executive of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, led by its President, Salimon Oladiti.
The President said the government was determined to address the problems affecting the refineries through a systematic and evidence-based approach.
“The refineries that you mentioned are going to come back to work; we’re just building a very firm, resetting, and structural reworking of the economy of it.
“Ordinary flame and smoke of a refinery doesn’t mean that it’s working until it’s profitable and yields the value for which it is built,” Tinubu said.
He said his administration had inherited both the assets and liabilities of previous governments and accepted responsibility for fixing the facilities.
“No matter what has happened in the years past, it’s now my responsibility as president to fix it and make it work for the greatest common good of our population,” he said.
Tinubu also appealed to stakeholders to support the democratic process, saying the reforms being undertaken by his administration required patience and commitment.
On local government autonomy, the President said constitutional issues surrounding its implementation were being reviewed for possible adjustment.
He appealed to stakeholders to exercise understanding as the process continued.
The President also recalled the contribution of former NUPENG President, the late Frank Kokori, to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“You brought good memories of my relationship with Frank Kokori; may his soul rest in peace.
“We struggled for this democratic dispensation together, and it was very tough for us to have this democracy,” Tinubu said.
He further promised greater involvement of NUPENG in the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas.
Tinubu, however, challenged the union to ensure that the benefits of the CNG programme reached ordinary commuters.
Speaking earlier, NUPENG President Oladiti commended the President for removing fuel subsidy and said the policy had freed resources for infrastructure and other sectors.
He also praised the administration’s road construction programme, citing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
“For our members, a good road is the difference between arriving home safely and never arriving at all,” Oladiti said.
He said improved roads would reduce accidents, fuel spillages and pressure on tanker drivers and other road users.
Oladiti, however, urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts to revive the nation’s refineries.
He said functional refineries would improve energy security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and create employment opportunities.
The NUPENG executives later decorated Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the union.
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