The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned against the potential takeover of the Port Harcourt Refinery by government cabals. The NLC also called for an audit of the refinery and urged the Federal Government to eliminate elements that contributed to its collapse.
Benson Upah, the Head of Information at NLC, expressed these concerns in an interview, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the rehabilitation of the refinery. He emphasized the importance of purging the facility of individuals and practices that led to its initial deterioration.
The NLC acknowledged the positive step of restarting operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, emphasizing the benefits of domestic refining, including cost-effectiveness, job creation, product security, and increased income for the country.
However, the NLC warned against potential sabotage by privileged individuals seeking personal gain, urging vigilance to prevent the collapse of the refinery and its subsequent sale as scrap to vested interests.
While the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the “mechanical completion” and “flare start-off” of the Port Harcourt Refinery, the NLC insists on a thorough assessment and elimination of factors that led to its previous shutdown.
