Apparently worried by the constant increase in the prices of petroleum products as a result of the poor state of the nation's refineries, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has resolved to construct new refineries in Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Cross River states estimated at N500 billion, sources told LEADERSHIP yesterday.
THE FLAWS IN THE PRESENT MANAGEMENT OF THE NNPC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIGH PRICE OF KEROSINE.THEREFORE INORDER THAT THE NEW REFINERIES DO NOT GO THE SAME WAY I SUGGEST THAT FROM THE START,THE NEW REFINERIES BE PRIVATIZED SO THAT THE MANAGEMENT,AND SERVICING WILL NOT BE IGNORED AS OBTAINS IN THE NNPC SINCE THE FOREIGN PARTNERS HANDED OVER TO THEM.SOME OF OUR EMINENT PAST PRESIDENTS HAVE BUILT REFINERIES OUTSIDE NIGERIA TO WHICH WE EXPORT OUR CRUDES,AND BUY BACK AS REFINED.NOW THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS PROPOSING N800 BILLIONS FOR THE REFINERIES,AND ONCE IT IS COMPLETED THERE WILL BE NO ARRANGEMENT FOR ITS SERVICING,AND REPAIRS FROM THERE IT GOES TO DECAY AS ALL OUR GOVT PROJECTS.THIS IS WHY OUR ROADS ARE ALWAYS IGNORED IMMEDIATELY AFTER CONSTRUCTION,Mazianyaogu writes from USA