Local Refinery: Meet Your December Deadline – Afenifere Charges Tinubu

The pan-Yoruba social-political group, Afenifere, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery begins operation in December as promised.

It should be recalled that the Federal Government had assured Nigerians that the local refinery would commence production by December.

Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (oil), had, while inspecting the rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Limited plant declared that it would begin operation before the end of the year.

Speaking on the present economic situation of the country, Afenifere, in a communique issued at the end of its caucus meeting in Akure, urged the government to stick to the promise.

The group believes that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, would crash if the local refineries are made to work.

Part of the communique reads, “The meeting also took note of the assurances being given in regard to the commencement of production of petroleum products by some Refineries in the country very soon.

“It then urged the government to ensure that the deadlines given are adhered to. For instance, the December deadline given for Port Harcourt Refinery to resume production should be met.

“This is with a view to bringing the cost of petroleum products down as high costs of these products are contributing to the soaring prices of commodities and services in the country.”