By Martha Agas
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), a think-tank, has described as false claims that the Federal Government was planning to sale its existing refineries.
The group criticised the narrative being promoted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) media office.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group maintained that the claims were also misleading.
They expressed concern that the information could be intended to sway unsuspecting Nigerians.
According to the group, the ADC is employing half-truths and misleading narratives as a strategy to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
They noted that the ADC quoted Bashir Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), out of context 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 stated that the NNPCL’s boss response was simply ‘a sale remains a possibility’ so there was no definitive answer to warrant ADC jumping into conclusion of selling the refineries.
“What the NNPCL helmsman said was clear, that the new management, which most Nigerians agree is filled with industry experts, are carrying out a review of refinery rehabilitation strategy.
“After what could be said to be an unsatisfactory revamp of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
“He was not even certain of what the management would do after the review, when he added that all ‘options were on the table’ until after the process,” it stated.
The group also cited assertions by the ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, that the Tinubu administration had concluded plans to sell the refineries after his administration spent 2.8 billion US dollars on them before declaring them moribund.
They described the claim as false, noting that the approvals for the refineries overhaul were granted in March and August 2021, about 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 digging into the issue and had only recently quizzed some former NNPCL management staff on funds appropriated for refinery rehabilitation.
”While we are not averse to a full audit of funds spent on rehabilitation of the refineries since the Olusegun Obasanjo era if possible.
“We believe that opposition elements, especially those who had been in government, should embrace sincerity if they want Nigerians to see them in a different light,” it stated.
The group urged Nigerians to be wary of attempts by opposition figures to spread half-truths under the guise of holding the government to account.(NAN)(www.nannes.ng)
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Sadiya Hamza
