Former gubernatorial candidate, Tonye Cole, has warned that Nigerians cannot afford another fuel scarcity.
He stated that such a development would worsen the suffering of the citizenry.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television, Cole noted that the government intervened quickly to mediate between Dangote Refinery and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), because preventing disruption was critical to citizens’ welfare.
He said, “Nigerians cannot afford another scarcity of fuel today. People are already in such a difficult situation, and another crisis would only worsen their suffering.”
He stressed that unions play a vital role in ensuring checks and balances between employers, employees, and government.
“In a democracy, unions remain a necessary balance. They give workers a strong lobbying voice, while the government must represent the interests of the people,” he said.
Asked whether Dangote Refinery was handling the issue properly, Cole responded, “If they signed an agreement, integrity demands that they honour it, or call all parties to renegotiate.”
Meanwhile, Cole has advised the Federal Government to privatise all four of its refineries.
He asserted that the government should privatise the refineries and hand them over to people who can make them work.
Cole gave the advice on Friday, while responding to questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television.
He also advised the government to remain involved in the privatisation so that the people’s interests would still be represented.
“If I were the federal government today, I would prioritise the privatisation of the four refineries with the government keeping a stake in it so that the people’s interests are still represented in it.
“For the sake of Nigerians, the government can privatise the four refineries and put them in the hands of the people who can make them work.
“We don’t have enough refineries in Nigeria as we speak today to meet our demands. So allow those refineries to work.
“As for NUPENG, on their own, too, competition would drive them to a better efficiency,” he stated.
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