By; IYOKPO J. EGBODO, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has called for local refining of crude oil, which he said is only option out of the embarrassing fuel scarcity often faced by Nigerians.
Speaking during a courtesy call by leaders of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday, Dogara said every other measure tried had provided only a temporary solution to the menace.
“Unless we are able to refine crude locally, we will never be in a position as a nation to say bye to fuel scarcity and that is the truth. Anyone who thinks we can depend on importation and still solve this problem is deceiving himself.
“You see, when you import, you are depending on so many variables. These variables are not within your control and anything can happen along the line that may result in this. The solution is to refine crude locally and end this shame once and for all. The final solution will be to refine this crude, put it in the filing station and say bye to fuel scarcity”, the Speaker said.
Earlier, President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, thanked the House for its effort at ensuring accountability and transparency in the oil and gas industry, adding that the fuel scarcity Nigerians are experiencing was embarrassing.
While calling for urgent revamping of the refineries, he said all bottlenecks in the importation of refined products must be addressed along with enhancement of infrastructural facilities in the sector.
