Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has said that reawakening refineries in Nigeria would save the nation foreign exchange for fuel importation, and ultimately reduce the pressure on the nation’s currency.
He disclosed this when he received the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of Nigerian Refineries led by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah at Government House, Asaba.
He further urged the Federal Government to hasten action in making the nation’s refineries functional.
He said: “I am happy that you people are here today. I can see some of my good friends that we served together as Speakers.
“I have the full confidence that this Ad-hoc committee will do a very good job. I want to say it here that this assignment is not a jamboree; it is an assignment with seriousness and I believe that with your oversight function, the right thing is done, that our refineries are put in place.
“When this is done, the issue of fuel importation will be a thing of the past because it is causing us a lot and we are having challenges with forex.
“So if our refineries are working and things are going very well, it will also boost the economy of this country.
“I want to assure you of our support in Delta State. Any support you need to aid your oversight work, we are going to give you in Delta.”
Earlier, Senator Ubah said the Ad-hoc Committee was in the state on oversight function to turnaround the fortune of the nation’s refineries.
“We are here to look into the rehabilitation of our refineries, the issues surrounding crude oil theft, how we can maximise the output of our country’s crude oil and also how we can support issues that have to do with upstream, downstream, Niger Delta affairs and host communities of Niger Delta.
“So it is a holistic committee. As a tradition of the Senate, we felt that we must come to pay homage to you the Executive Governor. We were with the Governor of Rivers state few days ago and we are glad that you gave us the opportunity to come and see you.”
Senator Ubah, while addressing journalists, further assured that the nation’s refineries would kickstart production before the end of the year.
“For me to make that statement that the refineries will be up and running before the end of this year, you need to know my background. If I do not have that background, I would not say what I am not sure of.
“So we will continue to give them close monitoring to make sure that all i’s are dotted and all t’s crossed. I am sure that by the grace of God, the ‘RENEWED HOPE’ of Mr. President is not something that you can just take away for a mere talk. It is working”, he said.
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