TMA DEFENDS REFINERY REHABILITATION, FIRES BACK AT UGOCHINYERE

The Tinubu Media Ambassadors has criticised the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum, Ikenga Ugochinyere, over his recent comments questioning the Federal Government’s rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries.

The group accused Ugochinyere of making claims that could undermine public confidence in the government’s efforts to revive the country’s domestic refining capacity.

TMA argued that the rehabilitation of the refineries is an important component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s broader strategy to strengthen the petroleum sector and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products.

The group maintained that the government’s interventions in the downstream sector should be assessed based on their long-term economic impact rather than through what it described as premature criticism.

TMA also defended the government’s decision to invest in reviving existing refinery infrastructure, arguing that functional refineries could reduce pressure on foreign exchange and improve the availability of locally refined petroleum products.

The group said efforts to restore the refineries should not be dismissed simply because the projects have faced challenges or attracted public scrutiny.

It urged political actors and other stakeholders to distinguish between legitimate oversight and statements that could discourage investment or create unnecessary doubts about ongoing government projects.

The disagreement follows criticism from Ugochinyere over the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries and questions surrounding the effectiveness and cost of the Federal Government’s interventions in the petroleum sector.

As chairman of the House committee responsible for downstream petroleum matters, Ugochinyere has a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise developments within the sector and raise concerns where necessary.

TMA, however, said the government’s refinery rehabilitation programme remained necessary for Nigeria’s energy security and economic development.

The group argued that increasing domestic refining capacity would have wider benefits for the economy by supporting local industries, creating jobs and potentially reducing the cost associated with transporting and importing refined petroleum products.

It also called for greater patience as the government works to restore the refineries to sustainable production levels.

The dispute highlights the continuing debate over Nigeria’s petroleum industry, particularly the huge financial resources committed over the years to rehabilitating state-owned refineries.

While supporters of the government maintain that the rehabilitation programme could eventually reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, critics have continued to demand greater transparency, accountability and evidence of value for money.

TMA said it remained confident in the administration’s efforts to transform the downstream petroleum sector and urged Nigerians to focus on the potential long-term benefits of the reforms.

The group’s response has added another dimension to the ongoing political and economic debate over the future of Nigeria’s refineries and the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s strategy for achieving domestic fuel production.