*Insist Nigerians deserve to know cost of PMS per litre
*Push for rail, water transportation as alternative logistics solution
By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The Coalition of Good Governance (CGG) has expressed concern over the failure of Dangote Refinery to disclose the production cost and sale per litre of its Premium Motor Sprit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.
According to the group, made up of over 90 civil societies, non-governmental organizations, community based and public interest groups with focus on promoting good governance and accountability in the country’s body polity, Nigerians deserve to know the true cost of this crucial product to ensure fair pricing, transparency and accountability.
It would be recalled that the Dangote Refinery Company has said repeatedly that the price of its PMS will be determined by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Plc.
Addressing a world press conference on the State of The Nation, Tuesday, at the Airport Hotel, Lagos, the group also questioned the current logistics strategy for evacuating PMS solely via trucks by the company.
It described the strategy as inefficient, adding that it risks further straining the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
Delivering the address on behalf of the group, the Convener of Patriotism Awareness Forum (PAF) Comrade Nelson Ekujumi, the CGG urged 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.
” 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.”, CGG stated.
The group condemned in strong term what it described as the smear campaigns against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (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. Since its transformation into a limited liability company by the PIA in 2021, the NNPCL has fulfilled its role as the supplier of last resort of petroleum products as mandated by Section 64 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), in ensuring energy security for the nation.
“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.”, it emphasised.
The group also commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for combating the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
It however called on the government to intensify more efforts and remain vigilant in its pursuit of economic stability and national security.
Inspite the difficult times, the group urged Nigerians to work together for the peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.
The group also appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant against those who seek to destabilize its democracy for personal or political gain.
