In a recent interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Tony Cole, the gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the upcoming 2023 general elections, expressed his concerns regarding the ongoing issue of non-operational refineries in Nigeria.
Cole pointed out that the continued failure of successive governments to put these refineries to use is a matter of national shame.
He emphasised that while the current administration might be successful in building new refineries, it is equally crucial to prioritise their maintenance to address the pressing energy challenges facing the nation.
“Between 2007 and today look at what happened. Between 1999 to date if you count how much we have spent on subsidy, import and turnaround maintenance, we would have built tens of these refineries. It was just a waste. It has been a national shame. That is why it is pertinent for this administration to get it right.”
He said that if Port Harcourt, Warri and Dangote were functioning properly, Nigeria would be fine.
He added, “If you have two refineries working at the same time, you will be okay. We have redundancy and capacity. Do you know that we have not expanded these refineries for years? We need technology to expand and improve them. The world has gone further than we are.
“If I were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I would make sure that the refineries work. I will make sure that there is no excuse. There will be consequences for any action.”
