Governors have assured of their support for the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance local refining of petroleum products in the country.
They also promised to work with security agencies to tackle insecurity across the nation.
These were the key resolutions of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday night.
During the meeting, the governors received briefings from the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; Department of State Services(DSS) Director-General Adeola Ajayi and Lami Chinade, pioneer director, State Liaison in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
A communique issued after the meeting was read by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. It was signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Uzodimma explained that Kyari spoke on the state of the oil sector while Ajayi focused on security.
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The communique partly reads: “The forum received an update from the Group Chief
Executive Officer of NNPC Limited on key developments in NNPC’s operations, including the National Crude and Condensate Production profile, the Production War Room initiative, and ongoing security efforts to combat illegal connections and vandalism.
“Emphasis was placed on the role of the Production War Room in accelerating production and addressing bottlenecks in Nigeria’s upstream sector.
“Governors acknowledged the importance of these measures in securing the nation’s energy resources and improving the efficiency and resilience of NNPC’s production and supply chain.
“The forum also received a presentation from the Director-General of the Department of State Service on the prevailing security challenges impacting the nation and detailed ongoing measures to mitigate these issues.
“Highlighting recent initiatives, the Director-General emphasised inter-agency collaboration, enhanced monitoring, and stronger enforcement measures aimed at deterring illegal activities and sought the governors’ cooperation accordingly.
“Governors recognised the significance of these efforts and reiterated their support for collaborative actions to safeguard the nation.
“The forum received a presentation from the Pioneer Director of State Liaison from the Office of the National Security Adviser, aimed at strengthening collaboration with states and enhancing channels of communication.
“The director highlighted new strategies to support state-level security efforts and foster a cohesive approach to national security challenges.
“Governors affirmed the importance of this collaboration and expressed their commitment to actively engage in coordinated efforts that improve communication, align security priorities and ensure a safer environment across all states.
“The forum received a presentation from the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), a specialised 500-bed hospital designed to deliver high-quality diagnostics and treatment across oncology, cardiovascular, and hematological care, alongside comprehensive general medical and surgical services.
“Recognising the AMCE’s role in advancing
Nigeria’s healthcare capacity, the governors reaffirmed their commitment to fostering partnerships that support the development of such specialised facilities, aiming to improve health outcomes and accessibility for all Nigerians.’’
Uzodimma told reporters that the governors got a better understanding of the challenges facing the NNPCL but had to sympathise with Nigerians over the hardship caused them by rising petrol costs.
He stated that it was an aberration for Nigeria, being an oil producer, to be an importer of petroleum products.
He said: “The current challenge of ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products “is something that is being looked at.
‘’If you look at the news, you will see that the Dangote Refinery has come on, and with a capacity to supply products.
“I do not think that you or I will be happy, as a Nigerian that our country, being an OPEC(Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) member, is relying on imported petroleum products.
“We must encourage the home-grown solution that President Bola Tinubu just introduced; encouraging the Dangote Refinery.
‘’We should repair our Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries and then produce what we eat, and eat what we produce.
“ For me, it is an aberration to rely on imported petroleum products as an oil-producing country.
“Which other member of OPEC is not refining crude oil on its territory? So, we should not encourage importation. I think I want to support buying petroleum products in naira, buying crude oil in naira, and refining it here.
“If you refine petroleum products locally, you will create jobs, you will cure unemployment, you keep people busy, you will reduce crime and then, you will also be proud to answer as an oil-producing nation.
“We sympathise with our people. We know that there is hardship in the country. We also appreciate the reforms being carried out by the President.
“Our prayer is that, as soon as possible, the relief we are looking for should come so that we can begin to leverage the benefits of the reforms. And then, have a better Nigeria.
“At Nigerian Governors Forum, we are also committed to supporting Mr. President and ensuring that the interests of our people are properly protected.
“We should have hope. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, there will be no better security than us being united, working together as a people, and believing in our country.”