The Federal Government has been urged to put in place necessary measures that would encourage building of more refineries across the country.
Speaking in Awka, a public affairs analyst, Chief Jude Emecheta said this would reduce the burden of fuel importation, subsidy and oil theft.
Chief Emecheta regretted that in spite of Nigeria being one of the major oil producing countries in the world, citizens of the country are yet to feel the impact of the natural resources while huge amount of money are being spent annually on fuel subsidy and maintenance of existing refineries which many believe have become a pipe for siphoning of the national wealth.
He noted that the huge sum of over twenty-six point five billion dollars which the Federal Government has so far spent on the maintenance of refineries, is capable of building three new refineries of the same size going by the cost analysis of refinery projects across the world.
Chief Emecheta urged the federal government to improve the country’s refining capacity by building various categories of refineries in various parts of Nigeria to guarantee the supply of petroleum products that would meet the country’s growing population and demand.
The Public Affairs analyst urged the electorate to be guided by the need to protect the future of the country and reduce economic hardship people are going through every day in choosing leaders in the 2023 general elections.
In his reaction, a trader Mr. Hyginus Obikwere called for proactive measures to reduce the marginal cost of petroleum products to be within the reach of the common man, which he said would have multiplier effects on socioeconomic life of the people as well as boost investments in various sectors of the economy.
He noted that Anambra state is strategically located for viable refineries because of its commercial and industrial hubs that require high energy consumption.
SOURCE: absradiotv.com
Nov