Are Nigerians about to get another round of excuses for government’s failure to fulfil its refinery promises?
Development Diaries reports that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) recently revealed that over five kilometres of oil pipelines are not working.
He also said that the nation’s four oil refineries will be functional soon, describing oil pipeline vandalism as a national calamity.
If some oil pipelines are non-functional, what is the possibility of having a working refinery by December 2023 as promised by the President Bola Tinubu administration?
The transportation of crude oil from extraction sites to refineries is heavily dependent on a well-maintained and functioning pipeline network.
However, Nigeria has grappled with issues such as vandalism, corrosion, and inadequate maintenance, leading to the deterioration of these vital infrastructures.
How can crude be transported when oil pipelines are non-functional?
Recall that Tinubu, in August, promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would resume operations by December 2023.
Similarly, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, vowed to keep up the pressure on the NNPC to move quickly to complete the Port Harcourt refinery ahead of the December deadline.
Nigerians are left wondering if this timeline will be achieved, as Kyari is already lamenting about non-functional pipelines instead of giving citizens updates on progress reports of the refinery.
Government officials play a crucial role in addressing and resolving issues within their areas of oversight. Instead of resorting to excuses, Kyari should prioritise finding effective solutions to the problems at hand.
Excuses only serve to erode public trust and confidence in the government’s ability to address pressing issues. It can also create a perception of incompetence or negligence.
Development Diaries urges Kyari and his team to find solutions to the existing challenges in order to deliver on the December deadline. Nigerians have had enough excuses; it is time for results.
Photo source: Mele Kyari
