Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited over an invitation extended to him for a tour of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
Obasanjo labeled the invitation as disrespectful, implying that it lacked the proper regard for his status and contributions to the nation.
The invitation for tour of the refineries was issued by NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye.
The invitation followed Obasanjo’s remarks in a Channels Television interview, where he detailed failed attempts to privatize Nigeria’s oil refineries during his administration.
He expressed frustration over the persistent mismanagement of the refineries, highlighting that despite substantial investments since 2007, the facilities remain non-functional, yielding no tangible results.
The Former President revealed that his successor, Musa Yar’Adua, rejected a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries.
Obasanjo explained that the NNPCL had knew its limitations in operating the refineries but convinced Yar’Adua it could handle them, resulting in the dismissal of Dangote’s proposal.
He lamented this decision, linking it to the continued inefficiency and poor performance of the refineries.
He said, “When I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t. I said, ‘Please come and take equity’, they said no. I said, ‘Okay, don’t take equity, come and run it’, they said no.
“Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries. My successor refunded their money, and I went to my successor; I told him what transpired; he said NNPC said they wanted the refinery and they could run it, and I said, ‘But you know they cannot run it.”
Obasanjo added, “But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn had been squandered on the refineries, and they still would not work.”
In response to Obasanjo’s criticisms, NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye defended the corporation, asserting that the refineries are operational.
He stated that NNPCL had undertaken both turnaround maintenance and a comprehensive overhaul of the facilities to upgrade them to world-class standards.
Soneye emphasized the corporation’s commitment to ensuring the refineries meet the nation’s energy needs efficiently.
He said, “We extend an open invitation to former President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”
Reacting to the invitation on Saturday, Obasanjo said such an open invitation was disrespectful to his office and person.
The former President speaking through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, clarified that as of Thursday, January 2, 2024, the NNPCL had not sent him any formal invitation.
He criticized the public nature of the invitation, emphasizing that such a gesture should be extended with proper protocol and respect for his office.
““Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.
“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Obasanjo’s aide stated.
Controversy continues to trail the operational capacity of the newly rehabilitated refineries.
