Illegal refineries should be licensed not destroyed – NULGE

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees has appealed to the Federal Government to stop the Navy from destroying refining sites tagged “illegal” in Niger Delta.

The NULGE President, Ambali Olatunji, made the call at a press conference to mark the end of its National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

Olatunji said NULGE's position was that President Bola Tinubu should prevail on the Nigerian Navy to stop destroying refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

“Destroying those sites has no benefits whatsoever for the country's oil and gas sector as well as for Nigerians at large. Instead of destroying those refining sites, they should be licensed properly and mandated to pay taxes. This will create job opportunities and be sources of revenue earnings,” he said.

Olatunji also called on the Federal Government to consider licensing more modular refineries that have the capacity to refine crude oil.

“If the multinationals are leaving the country, we should encourage individuals that are willing and capable to do it in Nigeria. If we can work on those areas, coupled with minimum wage, the effects of fuel subsidy removal will go down,” he said.

The NULGE President also called on the President and the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage to arrive at an acceptable salary for workers.

On security, he urged the Federal Government to allow the local government to implement community policing in protecting the lives and property of the citizens within their jurisdiction.

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