No Official Letter Received, Obasanjo Blasts NNPCL Over ‘Invitation’ To Tour Refineries
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has scolded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for extending an “invitation” to him for a tour of the NNPCL refineries in Warri and Port-Harcourt.
Naija News House had during the week reported that the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, extended an invitation to the former President, after he (Obasanjo) raised doubts on the functionality of the Port-Harcourt and Warri refineries.
Obasanjo had noted that the NNPCL was incapable of managing the country’s refineries.
“But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refineries, and they still will not work.” he was quoted as saying during an interview with ChannelsTV.
Obasanjo had noted that despite the NNPCL knowing that it could not manage the refineries effectively, it turned down an offer of $750 million by the Dangote group to manage the country’s refineries.
Reacting NNPCL had stated that it was instead offering Obasanjo a tour of the Port-Harcourt refinery which was recently declared “functional”.
“Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.
“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.”
“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated,” he had said.
Reacting through his media aide, Kehinde Adeyemi, in a conversation with PUNCH, Obasanjo slammed the invitation extended to him by the NNPCL.
“Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.
“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Obasanjo’s aide stated.
