Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, criticised the culture of importation of petrol by the Federal Government due to its cost implications on the economy, calling for the revitalisation of the nation’s refineries.
Oborevwori stated this when he received the National Executive Committee of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), led by its National President, Williams Akporeha, at Government House, Asaba.
The governor insisted that there is no justification for an oil producing nation, like Nigeria with four refineries, to resort to fuel importation for its local consumption.
He described NUPENG as a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian project, thanking Akporeha and the union for the support given to him during and after the general elections.
He said: “I am happy that NUPENG has been in this struggle for years, and I congratulate you for the struggle for a more efficient and people-oriented oil and gas sector. I celebrate you because you are a critical stakeholder in the Nigeria project.
“A lot of things have been happening. For years, our refineries have been down and nobody talks about how we can put them to use; instead, we are importing petroleum products.”
He commended NUPENG for its intention to build a skill acquisition centre to empower youths of the state on relevant oil and gas industry skills, pledging to collaborate with the state for the success of the project.
He said: “I am happy about the skill acquisition, and we are going to partner with you. We will work with the Ministry of Lands to make sure you get land to develop. Government will give you the land, your own is to build the skill acquisition centre.
“As a youth friendly governor, I appointed over 10 youths below 40 years into my government. So, the skill acquisition centre is very important.”
