By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
Members of the Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NICOCSO) besieged the National Assembly yesterday. They demanded the suspension of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPCL) plans to import over 1.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The group, led by spokesperson Kennedy Tabuko, described the policy as a misstep and a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s local refining capacity.
He said the move would also harm the economy and worsen the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The NICOSO Spokesperson said the coalition had perfected plans to stage nationwide protests in Abuja and other states if the nation’s oil firm failed to rescind its decision.
The group maintained that Nigerians must demand accountability, transparency, and policies prioritizing local refineries.
It argued that importing such a large quantity of PMS would put unnecessary strain on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
He said, “With the naira already struggling against major currencies, this decision will only worsen our currency’s depreciation.
“A weaker Naira would lead to higher inflation, making everyday goods and services even less affordable for Nigerians.
“The cost of importing fuel undermines the goal of achieving energy independence and diverts resources that could have been invested in local refineries.
NICOSO, therefore, vowed to hold those responsible accountable and insisted that Nigerians cannot allow decisions that jeopardize the country’s future to go unchecked.
He said, “The importation of 1.6 billion litres of PMS by NNPCL is an affront to our nation. It undermines our economy, delays our journey to energy independence, and burdens the Nigerian populace tremendously.
“NICOCSO will remain steadfast in ensuring that public resources are utilized for the benefit of every Nigerian.”
Armed with placards with various inscriptions, coalition members noted regret that the Nigerian populace had been assured of functional refineries for too long without success.
Tabuko said, “However, despite the staggering investment of over $20 billion since 2007, our refineries remain disrepair.
“Rather than prioritizing the establishment of local refining, NNPCL continues to foster a dependency on imports, stifling opportunities for regional investment, economic growth, and job creation.
“The NNPCL and the federal government must divulge the whereabouts of the $20 billion allocated for refinery repairs since 2007. Why are our refineries still inactive?
“NNPCL must provide explicit timelines for operating our three major refineries. Transparency and accountability are essential for the Nigerian people.
“NNPCL should abandon its monopolistic justifications and foster competitive policies encouraging local refining and attracting private investment.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately cease the importation of 1.6 billion litres of PMS and investigate the procurement process to ensure transparency and accountability. The president should also remove NNPCL leaders responsible for these detrimental decisions.
“Should our demands go unheeded, NICOCSO will escalate national protests. It is crucial to hold NNPCL accountable for its betrayal of public trust.
“In our pursuit of justice, NICOCSO is excited to announce that the first leg of our nationwide rallies will kick off November 21, starting in Abuja (North Central). The rallies will extend to other states from November 22,” he stated.
The NICOCSO Spokesperson said the group does not believe that the National Assembly joint committee currently probing the rots in the oil and gas sector could not do a thorough job.
Therefore, he urged the Federal Government to set up a Broad-Based committee comprising civil society organisations, organised labour unions, the private sector, students, and market leaders rather than carry out a holistic probe of the industry.
He said, “First of all, remember that the National Assembly constituted an initial committee. However, because of power plays, that Committee was dissolved, and a new one was formed.
“Up to the next tomorrow, nobody has heard anything from them. The federal government, as led by President Bola Tinubu, should constitute a special committee of the people, comprising the trade union, market women, students, and whatever.
“Let’s go and investigate what is happening in this refinery. The National Assembly probe will lead nowhere like the previous ones because they cannot do the job.”
