OBASANJO DOUBTS CAPACITY OF NNPC RUNNING GOVT-OWNED REFINERIES
OBASANJO DOUBTS CAPACITY OF NNPC RUNNING GOVT-OWNED REFINERIES Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has made fresh claims regarding the operations of government-owned refineries in the country. He also questioned the ability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to run the refineries effectively. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television which was published on Thursday, Obasanjo challenged the claims by the government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu that the refineries have resumed operations. Citing a Yoruba adage, Obasanjo said those who lie about their achievements would have to look for cover-ups when the truth is eventually exposed. During the interview, Obasanjo recalled how and why Shell refused an offer from him as Nigeria’s president to manage the nation’s refineries. He also recounted how his successor rejected a $750m offer by billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries back in 2007 after he had negotiated the deal. According to him, it is clear the NNPCL lacks the capacity to run the national refineries, yet rejected Dangote’s offer. He, however expressed confidence in the ability of Dangote to run his own personal refinery located in Lagos. Obasanjo said, “Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries. My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they can run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.”
Dons Eze
