By Obasanjo Slams NNPCL Invitation as Disrespectful Amid Refineries Issue
By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the NNPCL for inviting him to tour the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries following his comments on their mismanagement.
Obasanjo had previously discussed the failed privatization of the refineries, pointing out that a 750 million offer from Aliko Dangote to manage the refineries was rejected by President Yar’Adua in favor of NNPCL assurances, which he now questions.
Obasanjo expressed frustration over the 2 billion spent on refinery refurbishments since 2007 with little success. He contrasted this with the expected efficiency of Dangote’s privately owned refinery and criticized the government’s inability to turn around state-run refineries.
In response to the NNPCL’s invitation, Obasanjo, through his media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, rejected the approach, calling it disrespectful. He criticized the invitation, which was made via a public statement instead of a formal letter, as an insult to his office.
Despite NNPCL’s claims of extensive refinery rehabilitation, reports indicate limited activity at the Port Harcourt refinery, with ongoing calibration and inconsistent operations.
However, NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari announced the Warri refinery’s resumption of operations on December 31, though skepticism remains regarding the actual state of the refineries.
The invitation sparked reactions from groups like Afenifere and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), who sided with Obasanjo.
They criticized the NNPCL’s approach as politically motivated and emphasized the need for private-sector involvement to address the inefficiencies plaguing Nigeria’s refineries.
