The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kwara State chapter, Comrade Murtala Saheed Olayinka, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of refineries and fuel depots in the country.
In light of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, he highlighted that this situation has further exacerbated the hardships faced by Nigerians.
Comrade Murtala urged the federal government to urgently revive the four refineries and 21 depots across the country to alleviate the challenges faced by citizens.
Abandoned Masimi Depot in Ibadan
A noteworthy example of this dire situation is the Masimi depot in Ibadan, Oyo State, which has been rendered unable to supply fuel products to the Oke-Oyi Depot. Consequently, the facility has been abandoned and overgrown over time.
Despite a handful of staff, including the depot manager and security personnel, reporting for duty daily, the facility remains inactive.
On-the-spot Assessment of the NNPC Oke-Oyi Depot
During an interactive session with five affiliate union members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Murtala conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the NNPC Oke-Oyi depot near Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state, on Thursday. During this visit, he expressed his dismay, stating that “the dire condition of our refineries and depots across the country is a cause for concern.”
Highlighting the impact of the inactivity of the refineries, he further lamented, “Kwara State, being fortunate to have a depot, is now defunct due to the inactivity of the refineries. As a result, the depot has remained non-functional for years.”
He added, “This distressing situation has left thousands of workers disengaged and jobless, as the depot was their source of livelihood and daily income.”
Tragic Consequences of Inactivity
Due to the depot’s inactivity, many individuals have lost their lives, as the lack of job opportunities has made it difficult to support their families, Comrade Murtala further revealed.
Urgent Call for Revitalization
Comrade Murtala emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “It has become increasingly challenging for workers to provide for their families. We must call on the federal government to come to our aid by revitalizing and repairing the damage done to the nation’s refineries and depots across the country.”
He firmly believes that operational refineries will have a positive impact on the nation’s economy, stating, “Rather than relying on importation, our crude oil should be refined locally. This will strengthen our economy.”
The NLC chairman also stressed that operational depots will serve as a hub for workers and stakeholders from different regions to load their fuel tankers.
Support from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
The state chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Comrade Tajudeen Balogun, also addressed the gathering and sought the support of the labour congress in rejuvenating the refineries and depots across the country. Their collective efforts aim to steer the country out of its current challenges.
