NNPCL, Dangote Refinery
The ding dong game between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Refinery is a sad commentary on the dysfunction in our systems; and a sad reminder that we are yet to get it right 25 (twenty five) years after the return of democracy. More significant is the rueful fact that the current political managers of the nation have once again proved that they are irredeemably committed to frustrating the lives of the people who elected them to office.
The nightmare began last year when President Bola Tinubu took over and by fiat announced the stoppage of subsidy payment on petrol. Some of the reasons were that it would create stability in demand and supply dynamic, put an end to intractable crises in the sector among other plausible reasons advanced for the unpopular action.
Ever since the removal of subsidy in a kneejerk manner without a proper laid down process to ameliorate the domino effect on the people and the economy, the citizens have been thrown into untold hardship amidst spiraling inflation caused by another nightmare imposed by the administration called the floating of the Naira.
The effects on households and families have been devastating, many companies have closed shop, and prices of essential commodities have hit the rooftops, and in this mix is the unabated scarcity of petrol and the rising price of the product.
The administration initially fixed the price at N617 per litre, but officially –induced unavailability caused the filling stations to sell above the official price, with many covetous dealers selling between N700 to N900.
The hope of Nigerians was pitched on Dangote Refinery since it would eliminate some of the processes tied to the dollars that government normally say is responsible for the hike. Then government through NNPCL began a vicious abstruse game which pitted them against Dangote Refinery leading to accusations and counter-accusations of intrigues.
Two days ago, NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye said the price NNPCL will be buying the product from Dangote is N766 but yesterday Dangote Refinery refuted the claim saying the selling price to NNPCL N898 per litre , rationalizing this on the fact that the refusal of government to make available crude oil forced them to buy overseas at a dollars rate. And as a business entity, Dangote Refinery could not sell below the purchasing price.
NATIONAL WAVES is not interested in the politics of oil, and the strange business dealings between the federal government and the NNPCL; but concern with the outcome of these wheeling-dealings which continue to make life difficult for average Nigerians.
Government exists as a social contract to make life easier for citizens and not to compound their problems. It is only an irresponsible government that deliberately creates difficulties for citizens so that political actors can reap economic benefits from them. What is currently playing out looks like an administration which is hiding behind politics to make economic gains at the expense of the citizens. This is the impression Tinubu administration has created in the ongoing Dangote affair.
Government should come clean; Nigerians are in the dark because their leaders are not telling them the truth. If indeed, there are shadowy mafias controlling the oil and gas and causing this hardship and the administration cannot fix them; then the honourable thing to do is for the president to step aside as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Nigerians are tired, and our patience can no longer be stretched , sooner or later, it will snap with dire consequences.
NATIONAL WAVES posits that the dispute between the NNPCL and Dangote Refinery should be resolved with immediate alacrity in the interest of majority of Nigerians.
