[FILES] Moshood Salvador Photo/Channelstv
Chieftain of Labour Party in Lagos State Moshood Salvador, has lamented the recent hike in petroleum product prices, calling on President Bola Tinubu to revert to the underground pipeline network for distribution to ensure availability and alleviate Nigerians’ suffering.
At a briefing at the weekend, Salvador expressed his strong disapproval of the price increase, which has seen petrol prices soar from around N600 to N1,200 per litre, causing undue hardship for citizens.
He emphasised that the party is against this move and urged the President to investigate the diversion of the five per cent daily crude oil reserve meant for Nigerian consumption.
Salvador noted the existing petroleum policy, which dictates that 5 percent of daily crude production should be refined for Nigerian consumption, with the cost of refining borne by the country.
He wondered where this reserved crude was being diverted to and called on the President to uncover the truth.
The Labour Party leader also advocated for the revival of the underground pipeline network, designed to facilitate easy distribution of petroleum products nationwide.
He lamented the sabotage of Nigeria’s world-class refineries and the conversion of the distribution channels to a haulage system, posing dangers to Nigerians.
Salvador urged the President to investigate and utilise the existing underground pipelines, which cover all states and have the capacity to pump hundreds of cubic meters per hour.
He emphasised the need for the government to stop punishing Nigerians and work towards alleviating their suffering.
Salvador urged the President to revert to the underground pipeline network and investigate the diversion of the five per cent reserved crude.
He said: “We advise Mr. President to revert back to the underground pipeline network for distribution of petroleum products to ensure availability.
“The hike has brought untold hardship on the people and therefore it has to stop. There are some things we believe Mr. President should know and if he doesn’t know, we have to provide the information to him.
“The petroleum policy we have been operating in this country has five per cent reservation for Nigerian consumption for daily crude supply. This five per cent of the daily crude is what they should refine for the country as we pay for cost of refining it. This is what has been in practice for a long time.
“We ask Mr. President, do your investigation to know the truth and where they put the five percent of the crude they produced everyday for Nigerian consumption,” he said.
