The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has made a fervent appeal to the Federal Government to halt the Nigerian Navy from demolishing refining sites labeled as “illegal” in the Niger Delta region. This call to action was made by Mr. Ambali Olatunji, President of NULGE, during a press briefing held to conclude its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
Olatunji emphasized that the destruction of these sites bears no benefits for the nation’s oil and gas sector nor the welfare of Nigerians. Instead, he proposed that these refining sites should be properly licensed and mandated to pay taxes. According to him, this would not only create employment opportunities but also serve as a source of revenue for the country.
Furthermore, Olatunji urged the federal government to consider licensing more modular refineries with the capacity to refine crude oil, especially in light of multinational companies departing from the country. He stressed that encouraging local individuals with the capability to invest in refining within Nigeria would be beneficial.
Regarding the recent removal of fuel subsidies and its ensuing effects, the NULGE President acknowledged the hardships faced by the populace. He called upon President Bola Tinubu to mitigate these effects by establishing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Centers across the nation. Additionally, he urged the President and the Tripartite Committee on minimum wage to swiftly reach an agreement on a fair minimum wage for workers.
In terms of security, Olatunji advocated for the decentralization of policing powers, urging the federal government to grant Local Governments the authority to implement community policing. This, he asserted, would bolster efforts in safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens within their respective jurisdictions.
