It is no longer news that Nigeria and indeed Nigerians have waited patiently and endlessly for the commencement of production of the four refineries in the country, especially Port Harcourt Refinery, but lo and behold, it has been continuous shifting of the goalpost.
This hide and seek game has continued since May 29, 2023, which officially marked the inception of the current Federal Government led by Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
The promises actually pre-date the present leadership of the Federal Government. The endless turnaround maintenance started many administrations ago and has outlived several Petroleum Ministers.
The last Minister of Petroleum that promised heaven on earth regarding the commencement of production of the Port Harcourt Refinery was the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, who suddenly jumped boat, to recontest the last gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State and failed.
One now begins to ask what is still holding the kernel from falling? The situation is becoming embarrassing to hapless Nigerians who can no longer afford three square meals a day because of the hike in prices of food items, induced by fuel subsidy removal.
Public watchers and indeed concerned citizens have started suspecting foul play in the entire process.
Perhaps the current Federal Government is only doing the bidding of the IMF and possibly the World Bank, who are supposedly responsible for the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate plans to mitigate the sudden economic shock from such anti-people policy.
Even in the most industrialised countries of the world, certain essential items are still being subsidised. So why pick on Nigeria, celebrated as a third world country, that is, if we have not fallen far below that rating.
A nation that is not bringing anything on the table of the comity of nations, apart from crude oil, suddenly wakes up and announces subsidy removal. And worse, the President announced the policy from the swearing-in parade ground, without proper assessment. True to it, the abrupt subsidy removal announcement ignited a simultaneous economic crisis that we are still finding a way to tackle.
Thereafter, it became a promise galore. Over and over promises of commencement of production by Port Harcourt Refinery kept rolling in. Natural skeptic, because of the pattern of failed promises, have concluded that it is a complete mirage. Governments all over the world are rated for what they verge on with their citizens. In short, a credible government’s word should be its bond.
Therefore, the law of safety says that if you cannot work safely, it is better not to work at all. The reason is that such ‘try-your-luck’ can plunge such entity into some level of irreparable losses, amounting to economic woes and in most cases, lives are involved in addition to equipment or property loss.
No Nigerian or friend of Nigeria is happy or comfortable with what is happening to citizens of the country. The situation is more worrisome that Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty. How does one envisage that a major producer of crude oil in the world is being subjected to such inhuman treatment all in the name of subsidy removal?
Several government officials under this administration have proposed dates and times for the commencement of production by the refineries, especially Port Harcourt Refinery to no avail. So why must a government official come out to the public to make untenable promises, without due diligence or proper survey?
It is only in Nigeria possibly that such thing is practicable. And such public officers make such statements with impunity and still walk around the streets unmolested. Such practice is taboo in some climes. t is even safer and more honourable to keep mute, instead of misleading people (over 100 million people).
The question still echoing in the lips of Nigerians is when will it be? And by that they mean when will the cost of living reduce? When will petroleum products be available and affordable? And until these questions are answered, the struggle continues.
The latest promise came from the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) stipulating June 2024. Majority of Nigerians tend to believe IPMAN as a major player in the petroleum distribution industry than the government and her privies. May this promise materialise.
Nigerians will roll out their drums to the streets in celebration of the development. It is our prayer that the pledge works this time around. Economic watchers have said repeatedly that even if Dangote Refinery releases its PMS, it will still not be affordable. Their reason is that it is only competition that can force prices down, not the benevolence of capitalism. Though one must commend Dangote’s efforts in crashing the price of diesel.
Alongside millions of Nigerians, we continue to clamour for the federal government to live up to its responsibility by providing petroleum products for its citizens, which we strongly believe will force down prices of other products, including foodstuff. Until this is achieved, it is not going to be uhuru.