FG’s Suspension Of Oil Import Will Encourage Self-sustainability – MURIC

Following the suspension of petrol import into the country due to noticeable boost in local production by the federal government, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advocated for adequate supply of crude oil to local refineries in order to encourage self-sustainability in energy for Nigeria.

‎‎”This is a commendable step. Local production has received additional oxygen with this new policy. It is forthright and nationalistic.

“But as we hail federal government for widening the market for local refineries and blocking the likelihood of saturation through excessive and unnecessary inflow of petroleum products, we must at the same time remind government to enable full and effective operation in the local refineries by supplying them with 100 per cent crude oil.

‎‎”It stands logic on its head if in spite of decades of suffering from fuel scarcity, a refinery like Dangote emerges but still it cannot get 100 per cent crude oil supply.

‎‎”Reports of the supply of only 28 per cent to 32 per cent of the crude oil required by Dangote Refinery is not only disturbing but nauseating. This is where nationalistic proclivities should come in.

‎‎”We therefore urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue an executive order for the supply of 100 per cent crude oil required by local refineries.‎

‎”Another commendable step taken by FG is the release of 100,000 CNG buses to alleviate the transportation challenges faced by Nigerians. However, this policy needs to be complemented by an executive order that 100% crude be supplied to local refineries especially at this critical time.

‎‎”We cannot expect a humongous refinery like Dangote which has to go to traders and middle men to buy more than 72 per cent of the crude oil required by it to avoid factoring this unnecessary overhead into its price policy.

“Federal government has the capacity to make life easier for Nigerians by making 100 per cent crude oil supply its cardinal policy. Nigerians will hail Mr. President if he could issue an executive order today to kick-start this policy,” the group said.

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