NEWS
Nigeria is not refining crude locally – NNPC GMD
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
No single refinery is working in Nigeria presently. This is the position of the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mele Kele Kyari.
He made the declaration when he appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Kyari informed the committee investigating the rising prices of diesel and cooking gas that presently, Nigeria’s refineries were not functioning.
He described the situation as regrettable and emphasised that the NNPC was working tirelessly to bring the refineries back to life.
Kyari expressed optimism that their efforts would soon yield results. “We have decided to do a quick fix for Warri refinery,” he said.
According to him, no one could guarantee the stability of petroleum supply, because the global market is witnessing excess volume in the reserves of consumers and producers of the product.
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He averred that “The world has never seen this kind of uncertainty, today countries are stockpiling products. Shortly before COVID-19, the world was already facing a shortfall of 3 million barrels of supply of oil.”
He pointed out that no effort had been made to manage the energy crisis across the world, stressing that to guarantee energy security means you just make products available at any time and at any cost.
According to him, over 200 illegal refineries were being operated across Nigeria. His opinion on solving the menace is to restore crude oil production, which he hopes would be achieved by the end of July with the massive intervention ongoing.
“We will restore production to a level that is reasonable. Many European countries are asking for gas rationing. They are asking people to alternate their air conditioners.
“Today, countries are toying with subsidy because prices are so high because they don’t think they can manage inflation associated with it.”
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings and abductions in parts of the North-Central region, warning the Federal Government that Nigeria must not become a “killing field.”
Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, following recent attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states.
He described the situation as a national security emergency and urged governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further bloodshed.
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“What is happening to our country? In recent days, deadly attacks have struck Benue, Plateau and Niger States, three contiguous states in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
“In Mangu, Plateau State, at least 23 people were officially reported killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack, while residents put the toll above 30. More than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed.
“In Borgu, Niger State, recent attacks reportedly killed over 40 people and abducted more than 100, though the figures remain contested. This comes amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.”
Obi said the attacks were particularly disturbing because Nigeria was not officially at war, yet citizens were being attacked in their communities.
“Nigeria is not officially at war, yet citizens are being attacked in their villages, abducted after prayers, driven from their homes and stripped of their farms,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that the violence in Benue, Plateau and Niger should no longer be treated as isolated incidents, noting that similar attacks were occurring in other parts of the country.
He called on governments at all levels to strengthen security measures, improve intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians and arrest and prosecute those responsible.
“I urge governments at all levels to wake up to their responsibility and take urgent and decisive action to end this madness once and for all,” he said.
“Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible.”
Obi further stressed that the government should focus on preventing attacks rather than responding only after lives had been lost.
“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen.
“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less. Nigeria must not become a killing field.”
