Fuels scarcity: Dogara suggests permanent solution

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that refining crude oil locally would be a permanent solution to ending fuel scarcity in Nigeria.

Dogara said local refining of crude will make fuel easily accessible to all Nigerians.

Speaking while receiving members of the petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the National Assembly on Tuesday, February 6, Dogara said a high-powered consultation is ongoing on the part of leadership at different level.

He said Nigeria will continue getting temporary result until local refining of crude is commenced.

He also called for capacity building for workers to discharge the responsibility to yield optimal results.

Dogara said: "Unless we are able to refine crude locally, we will never be in a position as a nation to say bye to fuel scarcity and that is the truth. Anyone who thinks we can depend on importation and still solve this problem is deceiving himself.

"You see, when you import, you are depending on so many variables. These variables are not within your control and anything can happen along the line that may result in this. The solution is to refine crude locally and end this shame once and for all.

"The final solution will be to refine this crude, put it in the filing station and say bye to fuel scarcity," Dogara said.

He also commended the leadership of PENGASSAN for taking the right path by engaging with legislators on areas of concern on developments in the petroleum sector.

He promised that the National Assembly is working on the remaining components of the Petroleum Industry Bill to ensure that their passage are expedited.

Also speaking, the president of PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson, commended the House for its effort in ensuring accountability and transparency in the oil and gas industry.

Johnson while commending the National Assembly for passing the PIGB said the fuel scarcity Nigerians are experiencing is embarrassing.

He urged the House to collaborate with PENGASSAN on finding a sustainable way to end the crisis and prevent a resurgence by revamping and rehabilitating the nation's refineries with timelines and strategies that will lead to adequate and sustainable crude supply.