>
A former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has backed Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, in a statement made about the current fuel scarcity in the country.
Kachikwu had said that the present fuel crisis will tarry till May and Okupe concurs.
In a statement posted on his Facebook account, Okupe said he knows Kachikwu by reputation, stating that he has noticed a high level of professionalism and candour in the oil sector since the minister assumed office.
He said:
“The Minister of State for Petroleum is a Nigerian I know by reputation only. When he was appointed, I actually wondered why on earth will a man in his exalted international position and pedigree come into the murky arena of the Nigerian oil business. It can only be patriotism.
“Since he assumed office, I have noticed a high level of professionalism and candour. But Nigerians abhor the truth. The minister said a few weeks ago that it is cheaper to import fuel than process our crude locally. I thought that should be obvious to all discerning minds. Our newest refinery is 35 years old.
“Second, the minister said this present fuel crisis will tarry till May and all hell was let loose. The Hon. Minister is right. He quietly informed the nation that the NNPC is now responsible for 100 per cent of our fuel imports. The reason for this anomaly is not far-fetched.
“We consume 40 million litres of PMS daily. At about $645/tonne, that comes to about 55 cents per litre is $22m/day. Which importer and which bank in Nigeria of today can open $22 million daily? Not even the almighty NNPC!
“So, that is the real cause of the scarcity. The truth is what the minister said it’s not going away soonest.”