NNPC Under Fire, Obasanjo Criticizes Refineries Invitation, REVEALS Proper Way To Engage Him; SEE Full Details
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) following an invitation to tour the recently rehabilitated Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Obasanjo described the gesture as ” disrespectful” and criticized it as an improper method of engaging a former head of state. He emphasized that the approach lacked the necessary decorum expected in addressing someone of his status.
The invitation by the NNPCL appears to have been triggered by Obasanjo’ s remarks during a recent interview on Channels Television, where he revisited the challenges faced during his administration in attempting to privatize the country’ s refineries. Obasanjo had expressed frustration over the poor management of the refineries, highlighting that despite the substantial resources committed to their rehabilitation since 2007, there had been no meaningful progress.
The former president revealed a key incident involving a proposal during his presidency. He disclosed that Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, had offered $750 million to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries under a Public- Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This proposal, however, was ultimately rejected by his successor, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua. According to Obasanjo, the NNPCL, despite being aware of its own limitations in managing the refineries, assured Yar’ Adua that it could efficiently operate them. This led to Dangote’ s offer being declined, with his payment subsequently refunded.
Obasanjo lamented that subsequent efforts had only exacerbated the situation. ” Since that time, I’ ve been told that over $2 billion has been spent on the refineries, yet they remain non- functional, ” he stated. He expressed confidence in Dangote’ s capability to manage his privately owned refinery efficiently, contrasting it with the inefficiency demonstrated by the government.
In response to Obasanjo’ s criticisms, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye defended the corporation’ s efforts, asserting that the refineries were operational following turnaround maintenance. Soneye extended an open invitation to Obasanjo to visit the refineries and witness their progress. ” We invite former President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to see firsthand the advancements made under the new NNPC Limited, ” Soneye stated.
However, the invitation was met with strong disapproval from Obasanjo’ s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi. Akinyemi described the gesture as an ” absolute insult” and argued that the NNPCL had shown a lack of respect for the office of a former president. ” Is that the proper way to engage a former president of the country? Baba hasn’ t even seen the statement or read the news. Have they sent him an official letter inviting him to the refineries as of January 2? It’ s a complete insult, and he cannot dignify it with a response, ” Akinyemi remarked.
The announcement that the Port Harcourt refinery began crude oil processing on November 26 and that the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company commenced operations on December 31 has sparked mixed reactions. While some welcomed the development as a positive step, others remain skeptical about the sustainability and efficiency of the operations. Obasanjo’ s stance on the matter underscores his concerns about the government’ s capacity to manage key assets effectively, as well as the need for more responsible engagement with public figures who have contributed significantly to the nation’ s governance.
