Continuation of readers’ comments to my publications

1. Dangote refinery: Sandwiched between plenty and want, Dr Kehinde Abiola, FNIM, CMP Kehindeabiola50@gmail.com, fromGbongan-Osogbo Expressway, Oogi, Osun State wrote:

“The article of Aare Afe Babalola in his LAW &YOU column on the above subject, in the Vanguard newspaper on August 7, 2024 and Tribune newspaper of 8th August, 2024, kindly refer. I have taken keen interest on the brouhaha between Dangote Refinery and the Federal government regulatory agencies in the petroleum sector of the economy like NIMDRA and NNPC to the extent that I have written an article on the Dangers of Discouraging Dangote Group’s Investments in Nigeria. By the time I read your article on the above subject, I become scared of the unimaginable level of organized corruption being perpetrated in the petroleum industry since 2016. By the information reeled out in the article, through the crude oil swap from 2016, Nigeria exchanged 450,000 barrels of crude oil per day for approximately 1.34 billion liters of PMS and you proved that one month swap alone gives PMS that surpasses domestic consumption in Nigeria. The billion Naira question is, what happened to the PMS for more than 11 months, which is about 92% of the PMS that could have accrued to Nigeria,that must have value of trillions of Naira, annually? We must get to the root of this.

“As the crude oil swap for PMS progresses, you gave information that currently Federal Government pays N700 billion Naira on subsidy monthly, which implies the total cost of PMs they claim to import monthly is another several trillions of Naira. Wickedness at its extreme! It is now getting clearer why they are desperate to cripple Dangote Refinery. They have gone to the extent of syndicating journalists to write damaging articles against Dangote after their blatant lie that Dangote Refinery’s diesel is inferior to the ones imported, failed woefully. One of such is the report of Nigerian investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, who alleged that these saboteurs offered him money through Dialogue Earth, an international NGO that advocates environmental concerns to write damaging article about Dangote Refinery. They want to label Dangote Refinery as an environment pollutant so that it could be shut down by government. Wicked and atrocious people! Since they have gone to that extent, it should not surprise anyone if gullible journalists in Nigeria fall for them. They might organize protests and riots against Dangote Refinery. God will not allow their evil plans to succeed and people of goodwill in Nigeria should be at alert to safeguard Dangote Refinery, the pride of Nigeria, the pride of Africa.

“One enormous blessing that Dangote Refinery brought is the revelation of the well organized and properly covered up monumental fraud being perpetrated in the petroleum industry that transcends several administrations, particularly since 2016. By the time the fraud in the petroleum sector in Nigeria is properly investigated and documented it will enter the Guiness Book of Records as the biggest fraud in history.

“Well, it is commendable that the House of Representative oversight Committee took up the allegation of NIMDRA, a regulatory agency of government, that Dangote Refinery Diessel is inferior to the imported ones, confirmed it is not so and the Committee is taking further action on the matter. Senate is also doing good by its committee commissioned to investigate and address the sabotage of the oil sector in Nigeria. However, several other means should be used to investigate and address the perpetual whole sum and multidimensional fraud in the oil sector in Nigeria. A press release of NNPC that the Corporation cannot sabotage Dangote Refinery because it infested billions of Naira in the refinery is a deceit. Have they not sabotaged the refineries of government in Warri, PortHarcourt and Kaduna? Have they not turned their own refineries to bottomless pit where trillions of Naira were sank in the last about sixty years when they commenced operations? Where then is the justification that NNPC can not sabotage others, particularly a magnificent refinery, like the Dangote’s, capable of providing what they failed to provide and prevent the petroleum products importation they use to drain the economy and exploit the people?

I join Aare Afe Babalola to sing his song that “What Dangote Refinery offers is hope; it is asking for an end to oil importation; it deserves not only encouragement but the support of every Nigerian; it is the hope of every Nigerian that his efforts should not be stifled.”

Dr Kehinde Abiola, FNIM, CMP

Proprietor and Former Rector, Living Spring College of Technology and Innovation, Gbongan-Osogbo Expressway, Oogi, Osun State.

2. Ojo Dickson Abidemi Olukayode

Sir,

How is your health and family. I always bless God for your life and what He’s making you to bestow on the socio-economic areas of the nation. I have gone through your second write up on NNPC/Dangote Refinery saga, and your expository explanation is what some of us had expected from legal minds who are much younger, media commentators, and activists worth their salts but Alas, none of them is ready to do the needful. Thank you Sir, I’m seriously educated with this your write up. God bless you. Ekiti a gbe aa oo.

3,           Find below comment from Yusuph.

“Going through the erudite and meticulously articulated position of Baba, one cannot help but be highly discombobulated by this sterling revelation—that despite the ostensibly proclaimed cessation, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is, in fact, still inadvertently entangled in the web of subsidy payments. This perplexing and paradoxical reality, unveiled by our esteemed legal luminary, Afe Babalola SAN, challenges the public narrative and exposes an unsettling contradiction within the nation’s energy policy matrix. His bold assertion sheds light on a nuanced but critical issue: while the FGN refrains from subsidizing petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery, it continues to sustain subsidy payments on imported fuel, thereby skewing the competitive dynamics of the domestic petroleum market. Such a revelation not only distorts market fundamentals but also calls into question the coherence and long-term sustainability of current subsidy regimes.

The legal sage’s insight transcends conventional critique, compelling stakeholders to re-evaluate existing policies that inadvertently reinforce dependence on foreign products to the detriment of local refining capacity. In essence, Baba Babalola’s position is a sophisticated dissection of an entrenched policy conundrum that has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and energy sector resilience.

With this thought-provoking exposition, one is emboldened in the belief that Naija shall be better oooo! This revelation serves as a clarion call for good governance advocates to rise to the occasion and continue to play the crucial role of guiding those in authority with constructive critique and profound insights.”

It is imperative for these advocates to serve as beacons of informed guidance, ensuring that those in leadership positions are steered towards policies that genuinely align with national interest, foster sustainable development, and engender the much-needed economic renaissance for our great nation, Nigeria.

Kudos indeed to our distinguished legal luminary for courageously voicing out and refusing to maintain a posture of silence during these challenging and critical times! His resolute stance embodies the essence of patriotism and the unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power, especially when it is most needed. By confronting this issue head-on, he exemplifies the tenacity and fortitude required to catalyze transformative change and guide the nation towards a path of accountability and prosperity.

I come in peace ooooooooooo!!!!!!!”

Yusuph

4. Dear Sir,

Thanks so much for the expository information you gave in dailies.

My question issimple viz:Is Melay Kiari superior to the leadership of Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority or the NMDPRA leadership is playing game with leadership of NNPCL. Should the answer be contrary, why haven’t NMDPRA swing into action.

Secondly, it seems that the number one citizen of country and commander in chief is not informed of all PIA clauses you have pushed to the public or he is just playing the ostrich game.

Finally sir, kindly post this your write-up on your X account for all to see and probably forward to the NMDPRA.

Thanks for your patriotism sir.

Bolumole Olumide Samuel.

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