President Bola Tinubu has vowed to revive Nigeria’s refineries, saying the facilities will not be allowed to waste away after decades of investment.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday in Abuja when he received the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), led by its National President, Salimon Akanni Oladiti.
The President said the refineries would return to operation after a thorough restructuring and reset.
He stressed that simply producing smoke and flames does not mean a refinery is functioning properly.
According to Tinubu, the facilities must operate profitably and deliver the value for which they were built.
He said the government would conduct detailed research and technical assessments to identify the structural, operational, financial and managerial problems affecting the refineries.
Tinubu also said he had accepted responsibility for fixing the challenges inherited from previous administrations.
“I take responsibility for that, and we will do it,” the President said.
On local government autonomy, Tinubu said constitutional issues surrounding its implementation were being reviewed for possible adjustments.
He also promised greater inclusion for NUPENG in the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
However, he challenged the union to ensure that the benefits of the CNG programme reach ordinary commuters.
The President also paid tribute to the late former NUPENG leader, Frank Kokori, recalling their shared struggle for democracy.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised NUPENG for acknowledging the impact of the Tinubu administration’s reforms.
Idris said it was unusual for a major trade union to openly commend government policies.
He highlighted the removal of fuel subsidy and the administration’s infrastructure projects as major areas where progress was being recorded.
NUPENG President Oladiti also praised Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy, describing the decision as courageous and beneficial to Nigeria’s economy.
He said the policy had freed resources for infrastructure and other critical sectors.
Oladiti particularly commended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
He said improved roads were already benefiting tanker drivers and other road users by reducing accidents, delays and losses.
However, Oladiti urged the President to sustain efforts to revive the nation’s refineries.
He said functional refineries would strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and create more jobs.
The NUPENG leadership later decorated Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the union.
