The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has debunked claims suggesting that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries never functioned since their establishment.
Speaking on the matter, Osifo clarified that the facilities have at different times produced refined petroleum products, but were plagued by inefficiency and poor maintenance rather than outright inactivity. According to him, the narrative that the refineries were permanently dormant is misleading and does not reflect the true history of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
He stressed that while the refineries did not operate at full capacity, they had contributed to the country’s fuel supply in the past. The major challenge, he noted, has been the inability to sustain production due to mismanagement, corruption, and inadequate investment in upgrades and maintenance.
Osifo also reiterated the TUC’s position that revamping and properly managing the existing refineries remains crucial to achieving energy security and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
The TUC President further urged government authorities to ensure transparency and accountability in the ongoing rehabilitation projects, warning that Nigerians are weary of repeated promises that fail to translate into real results.
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