The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), a think-tank, has dismissed as false the claim that the Federal Government plans to sell its existing refineries.
The group condemned the narrative pushed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) media office.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group described the claims as misleading.
They raised concerns that such claims might be aimed at manipulating unsuspecting Nigerians.
According to the group, ADC is resorting to half-truths and distorted narratives in an attempt to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
They noted that the ADC misrepresented comments made by Bashir Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), during his recent interview on the sidelines of the Ninth OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, what NNPCL’s Bashir Ojulari said recently on the sidelines of the Ninth OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria was that NNPCL is now conducting a comprehensive review of its refinery rehabilitation strategy. The conclusions from the exercise could prompt a change in approach,” the group said.
They clarified that Ojulari only stated that “a sale remains a possibility,” which, they said, did not justify ADC’s conclusion that the refineries would be sold.
“What the NNPCL helmsman said was clear that the new management, widely regarded as made up of industry experts, is conducting a review of the refinery rehabilitation strategy after what could be described as an unsatisfactory revamp of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. He was not even certain what the management would do after the review, when he added that all ‘options were on the table’ until after the process,” the group explained.
TMSG also responded to claims by ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, who alleged that the Tinubu administration had concluded plans to sell the refineries after spending 2.8 billion US dollars on them before declaring them moribund.
They described the assertion as false, pointing out that the approvals for the refineries’ overhaul were granted in March and August 2021, nearly two years before President Tinubu assumed office.
“Besides, it is a matter of public record that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigating the issue and only recently questioned some former NNPCL management staff over funds allocated for refinery rehabilitation,” they said.
“While we are not averse to a full audit of funds spent on the rehabilitation of refineries since the Olusegun Obasanjo era if possible, we believe opposition elements—especially those who have held positions in government, should embrace sincerity if they want Nigerians to see them in a different light,” the group added.
They called on Nigerians to be cautious of efforts by opposition figures to promote half-truths under the guise of holding the government accountable.
(NAN)