The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared on Thursday that it was disturbed by the recurring scarcity of petroleum products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol; and called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to immediately restore sanity.
In a statement signed by NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the congress said the situation had again caused long queues at some fuel stations that were selling the product, while many more closed their gates with claims of non-availability of the product.
Wabba said Nigerians were yet to be told the cause of the current scarcity; adding however that it believed the government would not allow any individual or corporate organisations to sabotage efforts to restore sanity and good governance in all facets of our society.
Wabba said it was obvious that the ongoing scarcity was a calculated sabotage by petroleum marketers to sell the products at high prices for more profits.
The NLC president said: “Petroleum products, especially petrol, are key to our economy as it is what powers commuters, including workers, offices and businesses. The delay motorists contend with in long queues at petrol stations has led to loss of unimaginable man hours which has impacted negatively on our economy.
“We therefore call on government to strongly intervene by sending out appropriate agencies, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), to enforce the sale of the products as some marketers have been reported to be hoarding the products.
“We restate our call for the speedy reactivation of local production of petroleum products as the country will continue to be held hostage by global economic manipulations if we remain tied to importation of petroleum products even when we have the resources to produce for local consumption and export.
“While it is regrettable that bad governance, misplaced priorities and corruption has almost killed the petroleum industry, we believe a serious government can revamp the industry within one year.”
Wabba cited examples of countries, especially neighbouring Republic of Niger, where one of the best refineries was built within a year, adding that there was nothing stopping the government from doing same.
He added: “In any case, despite their perilous states, we have it on authority that our four refineries are still some of the best in the world and can be turned around and even have their capacity upgraded; all that is required is to have effective Turn Around Maintenance conducted on them.”
(Nigerians Tribune)
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