Obasanjo
Obasanjo says NNPCL’s open invitation to him to tour PH, Warri refineries, disrespectful
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his invitation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to tour both Port Harcourt and Warri refineries as disrespectful to his office and person.
Specifically, Obasanjo reacted to the invitation via a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, insisting that the oil company was disrespectful.
The informal invitation by the NNPCL was sequel to the former president’s comments, casting doubts on the repairs of the refineries.
Obasanjo had in a recent interview on Channels television stated that although the NNPCL was aware of its inability to effectively manage the national refineries, it rejected a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in 2007, during his administration.
Obasanjo, who asked why NNPC is now working with Dangote, said: “Not only will he make it (his refinery) work, he (Dangote) will make it deliver. And whether we announce our own government refineries working or not working, it is like a man who plants 100 heaps of yam and says he planted 200 heaps. After he harvests 100 heaps of yam, he will also harvest 100 heaps of lies.”
However, the corporate communications officer at NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, affirmed that the company has recently achieved the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.
Soneye said the exercise was not the typical Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards, and extended an invitation to Obasanjo to have a tour of the refineries.
Obasanjo’s media aide, who responded to the open invitation, said: “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.”