MURIC hails FG for suspending fuel importation

…calls for 100% crude oil supply to local refineries

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has praised the Federal Government for suspending petrol imports into the country, citing a significant increase in local production.

The federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced the suspension of petrol imports on Wednesday.

In its response, MURIC commended the Federal Government for this decision.

The organisation also called for an adequate supply of crude oil to local refineries to promote self-sustainability in Nigeria’s energy sector.

This statement was shared with newsmen on Thursday by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
‎
Akintola, in the statement, said, “This is a commendable step. Local production has received additional oxygen with this new policy. It is forthright and nationalistic. But as we hail FG for widening the market for local refineries and blocking the likelihood of saturation through excessive and unnecessary inflow of petroleum products, we must at the same time remind the government to enable full and effective operation in the local refineries by supplying them with 100% crude oil.

‎‎”It stands logic on its head if in spite of decades of suffering from fuel scarcity, a refinery like Dangote emerges but still it cannot get 100% crude oil supply. Reports of the supply of only 28% to 32% of the crude oil required by Dangote Refinery is not only disturbing but nauseating. This is where nationalistic proclivities should come in.

ALSO READ: Over 500 PDP members defect to APC in Bayelsa

‎‎”We therefore urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue an executive order for the supply of 100% crude oil required by local refineries.‎

‎”Another commendable step taken by FG is the release of 100,000 CNG buses to alleviate the transportation challenges faced by Nigerians. However, this policy needs to be complemented by an executive order that 100% crude be supplied to local refineries especially at this critical time.

“We cannot expect a humongous refinery like Dangote which has to go to traders and middle men to buy more than 72% of the crude oil required by it to avoid factoring this unnecessary overhead into its price policy. FG has the capacity to make life easier for Nigerians by making 100% crude oil supply its cardinal policy. Nigerians will hail Mr. President if he could issue an executive order today to kick-start this policy”.