The Coalition for Good Governance, CGG, has raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the production cost of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, at the Dangote refinery.
Recall that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPCL, had announced that it will begin lifting petrol from the Dangote refinery on September 15.
The group insists that Nigerians have the right to know the true cost to ensure fair pricing, transparency, and accountability.
In addition to this issue, CGG has outlined five key demands related to national issues, particularly focusing on security and fuel pump prices.
The CGG, comprising over 90 civil societies, non-governmental organizations, community-based groups, and public interest organizations, aims to promote good governance and accountability within the country.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Nelson Ekujumi, Executive Director of the Centre for Social and Economic Rights and spokesperson for CGG, expressed concern over the recent arrest of NLC President Joe Ajaero by the DSS.
Ekujumi called on all concerned Nigerians to stay vigilant and united in addressing these pressing issues.
“The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, is a long standing and regrettable issue that has plagued the tenure of successive governments since 1976. It is a national shame that despite our abundant natural resources, particularly crude oil, we continue to grapple with fuel shortages.
“Nigeria is blessed as the 15th largest producer of crude oil globally and the largest in Africa. Yet, due to mismanagement, corruption, and sabotage, our daily crude oil production has dwindled.
“From a peak OPEC quota of 2.3 million barrels per day, we now struggle to produce between 1.3-4 million barrels per day, largely due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
“However, it is disgraceful that Nigeria, the largest producer of oil and gas in Africa, does not have fully functional refineries.
“But we are encouraged by recent developments, particularly the progress of the Dangote Refinery and the revitalization of our national refineries, which we hope will bring an end to our dependency on imported petroleum products and the drain on our scarce foreign resources.
“While we celebrate the Dangote Refinery as a monumental achievement, we are concerned by the lack of transparency regarding the refinery’s cost of production of PMS per litre.
“Nigerians deserve to know the true cost of this crucial product to ensure fair pricing, transparency and accountability.
“Additionally, we question the current logistics strategy for evacuating PMS solely via trucks, which is inefficient and risks further straining our transportation infrastructure.
“We urge the government to implement alternative logistics solutions, such as rail and water transportation to improve efficiency, create jobs and wealth, sustain existing ones and bolster national security,” Ekujumi stated.
“We wish to address recent smear campaigns against NNPCL and its leadership under the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari.
“This orchestrated effort to undermine NNPCL’s credibility is deeply concerning and sad.
“Despite the immense challenges, including the vandalism and sabotage of its pipelines and depots nationwide, NNPCL has continued to play a critical role in ensuring the continued supply of petroleum products to all parts of the country.
“It is important to note that NNPCL has been forced to bear significant financial burdens, by being the sole importer of fuel into the country due to liquidity crises and foreign exchange challenges which made other stakeholders to abandon the business of the importation of PMS.
“Yet, despite these pressures, NNPCL has remained committed to its mandate of energy security for the country as mandated by the law.
“We must commend President Bola Tinubu’s administration for promoting transparency and accountability in NNPCL operations by directing that all crude oil and gas transactions are properly documented and the receipt paid into the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“This level of probity is crucial for restoring faith in Nigeria’s oil industry, which has long been accused of corrupt practices.”
(Vanguard)
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