Group backs Sylva, NNPCL to end fuel importation, tackle saboteurs

A group, The Natives, has supported moves by the Federal Government to end fuel importation.

In a statement by its President General, Smart Edwards, the group lauded the Minster of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the recent announcement of possible end to fuel importation by next year.

It described the development as heartwarming against the backdrop of agitation by Nigerians for complete removal of subsidy.

The Natives said: “We cannot but applaud you and the team at the NNPCL for this positive effort in the right direction. We are tired of hearing turnaround maintenance that leads to non-functional refineries. So, this is surely a great job you are doing and we obviously welcome the news of 60000bpd portion of the refinery that will go operational by the first quarter of 2023.”

“You have taken practical steps towards ensuring this delivery. The NNPCL, as driven today, appears people-focused, with the laudable task it embarked on in boosting economic routes and making life easier for citizens by investing in the construction of 44 roads across the country. One can only begin to imagine the possibilities that abound when the NNPCL is left to do the job without distractions.”

It tasked security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to fish out oil marketers and other saboteurs responsible for the current fuel scarcity nationwide.

The group described as ‘politically motivated’ the long queues at filling stations across the federation.

It lamented: “Saboteurs among the marketers and distributors have deliberately and for selfish reasons, caused the scarcity to the extent that Nigerians testify in worship centres if they eventually fill their car tanks.

“This is abnormal and should not be allowed to stand. We call on the DSS and the NSCDC to go after these enemies of the state.”