Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for inviting him to tour rehabilitated refineries through a public announcement.
Obasanjo described the approach as disrespectful to his status as a former head of state.
The NNPCL extended the invitation following Obasanjo’s remarks in a Channels Television interview, where he recounted the failed privatization of Nigerian refineries during his administration.
The corporation claimed significant progress had been made in revamping the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries and invited Obasanjo to witness the developments.
However, Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated no formal letter had been received, saying, “Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.
“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery?
“It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Obasanjo’s aide stated.
Obasanjo expressed frustration over the prolonged inefficiency of refineries despite the expenditure of over $2 billion since 2007. He contrasted the government’s mismanagement with Aliko Dangote’s efficient handling of his private refinery.
Recalling his tenure, Obasanjo revealed Dangote’s $750 million proposal to manage the refineries was rejected by his successor after the NNPCL claimed it could handle the plants.
He said, “When I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t. I said, ‘Please come and take equity’, they said no. I said, ‘Okay, don’t take equity, come and run it’, they said no.
“Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries. My successor refunded their money, and I went to my successor; I told him what transpired; he said NNPC said they wanted the refinery and they could run it, and I said, ‘But you know they cannot run it.”
Obasanjo added, “But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn had been squandered on the refineries, and they still would not work.”
Meanwhile, NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye maintained the refineries were operational and extended an “open invitation” for Obasanjo to inspect them.
He said, “We extend an open invitation to former President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”
