Group supports FG withdrawal of fuel subsidy

Etim Effiong

The Domestic Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (DROAN) has hailed the Federal Government for removing fuel subsidy in the country.

The National Chairman of the association, Mr Godwin Sunday, who said this during a press conference organised by the association in Uyo on Saturday, stated that the association was in full support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s  courageous stand in bringing the subsidy regime to an end.

He urged stakeholders in the oil industry and, indeed, all Nigerians to support the policy and the establishment of modular refineries in the country.

According to him, the establishment of modular refineries across the Niger Delta region would enhance youth employment and bring an end to youth restiveness, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

“The oil sector, as we all know has been the major stay of our economy and contribute more than 80 per cent to the growth of our nation.

“Therefore, as responsible citizens of this nation we have seen the need to join hands with the government to protect our major source of sustenance (crude oil).

“We salute the courage of the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing the subsidy regime to an end.

“We applaud the government, and we are also appealing to Nigerians to support the government in this direction.

“We trust that better days are here because the resources that was used for oil subsidy will now be channelled into other developmental projects like education, health and infrastructure development,” Sunday said.

The national chairman said that the association was deeply concern on the devastating effect of illegal oil bunkering on the ecosystem.

He said that the association plans to embark on sensitisation exercise against illegal oil bunkering in the country, adding that the association has acquired three speed boats to penetrate the Creeks for the exercise.

He said, “Considering the devastating effect on our environment which obviously is leading to the environmental pollution, degradation and even a negative effect on our ecosystem. We as a people, have unanimously agreed that we cannot continue to steal what seemingly belong to us.

“To deepen this commitment, we have acquired three speed boats with 75 horsepower engine each to enable us penetrate the creeks to carry out sensitisation exercise tagged; “Operation Stop Illegal Bunkering in Nigeria.”

He appealed to the federal government to set up a Presidential Committee to investigate the activities of artisanal oil refiners in the Niger Delta.

The chairman also appealed that individuals and organisations setting up modular refineries in the country, should partner with the association for easy and smooth integration of the artisanal refiners.