Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has called on the Federal Government to allow investors in the establishment of private refineries and allow foreign experts to repair or maintain the existing refineries.

The group also asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to critically consider improving the economy, effective rule of law and true democracy.

The group made the calls, yesterday, at a press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos on the state of the nation, in which it observed that the economy of the nation was in shambles and noted that the government needs to urgently set up a committee to monitor activities of the oil sector with members drawn from various quarters, with civil society representation.

He said: “We must let you know without any prejudice that the nation is in absolute poverty. Many are dying of hunger as the prices of everything have increased astronomically with little or no means to buy them.

“Several people have turned to professional beggars, domestic crimes have increased. It is no longer news that many people are relieved of their job. Above it all, the crime rate has grossly increased.”

The former Chairman of the group, Kenny Abiola Bakare, decried the increase in tuition fees across universities and disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc)

The group, therefore, admonished the Federal Government to end the disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) , adding that the bill should be critically looked into and signed into law without further delay.