Nigerian governors on Thursday expressed their dismay over the country's ongoing reliance on imported petrol, despite being a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The governors, representing all 36 states, voiced their concerns during a meeting in Abuja. Hope Uzodinma, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, highlighted the issue, stating, "We shouldn’t rely on importation of crude oil. For me, it is an aberration in the first place, to rely on importation of petroleum products as an oil-producing country."
The governors criticized the current state of the petroleum industry and emphasized the need for homegrown solutions. They advocated for the repair of local refineries, such as those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, to reduce dependency on imports. Additionally, they suggested purchasing petroleum products in naira to boost the economy and create opportunities for citizens.
The meeting also included discussions with Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), who was invited to provide updates on efforts to improve the accessibility and affordability of petroleum products.
The governors acknowledged the hardships faced by Nigerians due to the fuel crisis and pledged to collaborate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address these challenges, including issues like kidnapping and banditry.
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