ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije, has criticized the ongoing importation of Premium Motor Spirit into Nigeria, emphasizing that the Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries are capable of meeting the country’s domestic fuel consumption needs.
Tilije made this remark on Wednesday while speaking to participants at the three-day 8th National Council on Hydrocarbons, organized by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
He said, “There has been an ongoing debate about whether the Port Harcourt refinery is operational or not, but we have seen trucks confirming that it is indeed functional.
“We are pleased that the Port Harcourt refinery is now operational, and with the Dangote refinery also coming on stream, we believe they can collectively meet the country’s PMS consumption needs.
“Why are we still importing PMS into this country? It’s troubling that we cannot ascertain the exact volume of PMS consumed daily. If you ask the NNPC, they will give one figure, and the Ministry of Petroleum will provide another. This lack of clarity on consumption figures remains a challenge.”
Tilije also raised concerns about the continued existence of the subsidy system despite the government’s announcement of its removal.
He referenced Section 118 of the Petroleum Industry Act, which prohibits the importation of PMS unless local production is insufficient.
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“The era of fuel subsidy may be over, but are we truly free from it? The PIA stipulates that PMS should not be imported unless local content is insufficient. Yet, we are still importing. This raises questions about the efficiency of our policies,” he said.
The commissioner also voiced concerns about the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, arguing that it has introduced more challenges than solutions within the oil industry.
“As it stands, we do not even know the shareholders of NNPC Limited. Is it wholly owned by the Federal Government or by sub-national governments as well? This ambiguity needs to be addressed urgently,” Tilije added.
He called on the council to develop strategies for revitalizing the hydrocarbons sector, stressing that oil remains the Federal Government’s primary source of revenue.
The commissioner also underscored the importance of tackling environmental issues in oil-producing communities, with a particular focus on the cleanup of Ogoniland.
“The Federal Government must recognize these challenges and provide sustainable solutions to improve the lives of host communities,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Peter Uviejitibor, stressed the need for the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to ensure that oil-rich communities gain socio-economic benefits from Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon resources.
Uviejitibor also advocated for a review of the PIA, pointing out the absence of a clearly defined role for state governments in its execution.