Fuel importation must stop to free funds for infrastructure, others, says Enang

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, has called for an end to importation of refined petroleum products in 2022 to enable the nation fund critical infrastructure projects, investment in agriculture and payment of workers salaries.

Enang, who made the call in his Christmas and New Year’s message to Nigerians, titled ‘Embrace love at Christmas, face the new year with innovative realism and resilience,’ promised that his office would continue to support local content participation in the oil and gas industry through collaborations with all stakeholders to ensure maximum utilisation of indigenous technology that will drive a viable self-sustaining artisanal refining industry.

He said: “As we face the 2022 economy, challenged by the pandemic, let us consider the big elephant in the room: Can Nigeria continue to subsidise imported refined petroleum products in the face of dwindling revenue and competing needs? And if not, what are the options, advantages or otherwise? Can we improvise solutions as other countries did and are doing so that we free funds therefrom to fund critical infrastructure, agriculture, and salaries et-al?

“My office will continue to support local content participation in the oil and gas industry through collaborations with all stakeholders to ensure maximum utilisation of indigenous technology to drive a viable self-sustaining artisanal refining industry.”

He pledged to continue to strengthen engagements in Emergency Agricultural Programme in the Diversification of the National Economy and other programmes that would enhance capacity of youths in the Niger Delta and Nigeria for national security.

On Christmas, he said: “I heartily rejoice with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brethren, on this joyous occasion of the 2021 Christmas Day celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ and heralding a brand New Year of hope and progress, 2022.”

“May we wake up in 2022 providing answers to these posers in the interest of the nation.”