Big argument don burst between President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo on top Nigeria refinery matter as both leaders no gree see eye-to-eye on whether Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries fit ever work again.
While Obasanjo don repeatedly yarn say government-owned refineries don spoil pass repair and fit never yield profit again, Tinubu don stand gidigba say the refineries go bounce back and begin operation.
The President make the declaration for Aso Rock when leaders of NUPENG visit am, insisting say the refineries no go remain dead assets forever.
Tinubu talk say e no just want make refinery dey produce smoke and fire for camera. According to am, the real target na make the facilities work well, make profit and deliver value to Nigerians.
The President add say e no dey interested in blaming past governments over failed turnaround maintenance projects.
According to am, na him inherit both the good and bad side of previous administrations and na him responsibility now to fix the problem.
But Baba Obasanjo no gree buy that idea. The former President insist say NNPC no get capacity to successfully run government-owned refineries and maintain profitability.
According to Obasanjo, one of the biggest lessons wey him learn for government na say Public-Private Partnership (PPP) dey work pass government control.
Him point to NLNG as example of successful partnership between government and private investors.
Obasanjo reveal say during him tenure, him even beg Shell make dem take stake and manage Nigerian refineries, but the oil giant reject am straight.
According to am, Shell officials tell am say Nigerian refineries too small, poorly maintained and surrounded by too much corruption.
Obasanjo also recall how Aliko Dangote once offer about $750 million to buy majority stake in two of the refineries.
According to am, the deal almost sail through before late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua reverse the transaction after pressure from NNPC.
Baba say him warn Yar’Adua then say government fit later regret the decision because the refineries fit eventually lose almost all their value.
Today, Dangote own refinery don become Africa’s biggest refinery, while government refineries still dey struggle to wake up.
Even Dangote himself don previously question whether the old refineries fit truly work again.
The billionaire compare rehabilitation of the facilities to somebody wey dey try modernise motor wey don old for over 40 years.
Energy expert Dan Kunle no hide him mind. According to am, Nigeria don spend decades and billions of dollars trying to revive the refineries without meaningful success.
Him talk say make government stop to dey pour billions of naira inside those old
The expert accuse refinery managers of feeding Tinubu with sweet stories to keep rehabilitation projects alive.
He say instead of spending public money on ageing refineries, government fit channel resources into agriculture, gas infrastructure, education and other productive sectors.
Despite all the criticism, Tinubu administration still dey push ahead with plans to revive the refineries.
NNPC boss, Bayo Ojulari, recently announce agreement with two Chinese companies to help repair and restart Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
The move signal say government still believe say the facilities fit return to life despite years of disappointment.
Meanwhile, host communities around Port Harcourt Refinery don throw their weight behind Tinubu.
The Port Harcourt Refinery Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association say if the refinery resume full operation before next election, dem go work to double the votes Tinubu get for Rivers State during the last presidential election.
According to the association, over 200,000 people depend directly and indirectly on refinery activities for survival.
Dem say bringing the refinery back to life go create jobs, boost businesses, strengthen local economy and improve energy security.
As Tinubu dey insist say PH, Warri and Kaduna refineries go work, Obasanjo, Dangote and many industry stakeholders still dey argue say privatisation na the only lasting solution.
For now, Nigerians dey watch to see whether Tinubu go succeed where past governments fail or whether the refineries go continue to remain one of Nigeria’s most expensive unfinished projects.
One thing sure be say — Tinubu don place big bet on the refineries, and the whole country dey wait to see whether na jackpot or another costly gamble.
