Oil and Gas
CNPP commends NNPC for rehabilitation of Harcourt refinery, urges accountability transparency in oil business
By Idris Iyede
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has applauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) for living to it’s promises of completing the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery after several fruitless self-imposed deadlines.
This development, the CNPP said is a significant miles stone and doggedness in revitalizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector pivotal to ensuring energy security for the Nigerian people.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP has duly acknowledged the giant stride of NNPC Limited in delivering it’s mandate on this critical project consequential to the nation’s economic growth.
Ezema said, “The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery will be a legacy achievement for the Mele Kyari-led management team.”
“We see this success as a fruit of our commitment to advocacy for enhanced Nigeria’s refining capacity, reduced dependency on imported petroleum products, and urgent need to combat corruption in the petroleum industry.
“The CNPP therefore urges NNPC Limited to adopt a more transparent and accountable approach in its operations.
“As a government-owned commercial entity, it is imperative that NNPC Limited operates with the highest standards of openness, ensuring that the Nigerian people are fully informed about its activities and financial dealings.
“Transparency is not only a cornerstone of good governance but also essential for building public trust and confidence”, the CNPP said.
The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria however called on NNPC Limited “to avoid the controversies that have previously marred the resuscitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery as a result of failure to meet its own set deadlines.
“It is crucial that the processes for reviving the remaining Nigerian refineries, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are conducted with utmost integrity and transparency. The Nigerian people deserve to see clear, accountable, and efficient management of these vital national assets.
“Furthermore, the CNPP appeals to President Tinubu to ensure greater transparency within the oil industry. Increased transparency will attract more investment, drive economic growth, and reduce the corruption that has long plagued the sector. Corruption in the oil and gas industry has been a significant detriment to Nigeria’s economy, leading to substantial revenue losses and forcing the country into a cycle of borrowing.
“The CNPP insists that addressing corruption and enhancing transparency in the oil and gas sector is paramount to Nigeria’s economic stability and growth. The Nigerian people must be assured that their resources are managed responsibly and that the benefits of these resources are equitably distributed.
“The Nigerian people expects a cheaper pump price of locally refined petroleum products in the coming days.
“The CNPP remains committed to advocating for policies and practices that promote good governance, accountability, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“We will continue to monitor the activities of NNPC Limited and other key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to ensure that the interests of the Nigerian people are always prioritized above personal mundane interests”.
Hence, the CNPP reiterated that Nigerians are impatiently expecting the NNPC Limited to repeat the same fit by reviving the remaining refineries
domiciled in Eleme, Warri and Kaduna accordingly.