Finding permanent solution to perennial fuel scarcity in Nigeria
It is no longer news that Nigeria, ranking as one of the highest oil producing countries in the world, continuously suffers from perennial fuel scarcity day in, day out. A trip to the creeks of the Niger Delta will reveal abandoned and operational wellheads of crude oil, a fallout of oil exploration activities.
Some have developed to glorified Christmas trees, typical of the relics of the slave masters, aftermath of the abolished slave trade. A closer look at the Niger Delta Region will uncover communities sitting on oil wells.
Pollution and degraded environment reigns supreme, yet Nigerians are on daily basis tortured with scarcity of petroleum products, especially fuel, popularly referred to as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
This is a country where leaders ‘throw away’ our crude oil’ to industrialised nations, only to turn round to buy the same product now refined at exorbitant prices. Governments of other oil producing states like Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, amongst others are more circumspect with resources. But Nigerian citizens wallow in abject poverty under the harrowing experience of high costs of living.
No point being shocked at incessant fuel scarcity when all four refineries in the country are decrepit. No point being shocked when the Nigerian Government is more concerned about election results than election promises. Daily, this administration is on a patience campaign to a religious degree. The doctrine of patience is being used to institute docility in the citizens.
It is not enough to make half-baked declarations in a bid to ‘hit the ground running,’ there should be commensurate efforts. The country’s travails with inflation are directly tied to this. A new ministry without a minister is another symptom of tactless leadership. Again and again, billions are spent on nothing-projects. Over and over, the Government has told Nigerians that Port Harcourt Refinery would resume operations in less than no time, all fantastical pronouncements.
The list of unfulfilled promises are endless. Ironically, the fastest policy by this administration is turning the old national anthem to a new one and buying SUVs for the National Assembly members. Anything short of putting food on the tables of poor Nigerians amounts to failure.
We pray that the next phase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership brings a glimmer of hope for Nigerians. We do not know how they intend to achieve that, but it is in their own interest to do so. No one is impossible to unseat. When the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway in the corridor of powers, they became so power drunk that they boasted to rule Nigeria for sixty years unchallenged. Today, they are peeping from the fringes and dreaming to launch a comeback.
Nigerians are learning from their Kenyan neighbours. 2027 is fast approaching when Nigerians will again file out to cast their votes. The proper thing should be done in terms of good governance. Proper policies should be put in place to harness the abundant human and material resources that abound in this country.
Dangote Refinery should be given adequate support against foreign and local cabals. Also, support for artisanal refineries currently feeding the country with adulterated petroleum products will inevitably turn the fortunes around. This will do the country a lot of good. If we can make substandard goods, we might as well produce the original. It is a matter of commitment, focus and getting priorities right.
Nigeria is capable of incredible feats. The human resource is peerless as evidenced in the fintech industry. What a tragedy to partake in this samara of fuel scarcity. A whole generation of adults deprived of a functioning system will, in no time, turn on the inept leaders. The clock is ticking…
