Obasanjo Hints At Death, Makes Important Request

Obasanjo Hints At Death

 

OpenLife News reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has hinted at his mortality while making a passionate plea for the completion of a major economic project he believes is vital to Nigeria’s growth.

Obasanjo, who will turn 90 in March next year, said he may soon “take the boarding pass” and wants to see the Azikel Refinery completed before he exits.

He made the request on Monday at Obunagha in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State during the flag-off of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the one billion dollar Azikel Refinery.

“I have told Dr. Eruani that I will be officially 90 years by next year March. It means I will take the boarding pass soon.

“So, he has to make sure the project is completed before I exit,” Obasanjo said.

The refinery, owned by Azikel Petroleum under the Azikel Group and led by Dr. Azibapu Eruani, is expected to produce 2.5 million litres of fuel and 2 million litres of diesel daily, among other petroleum products.

It is described as the second largest full-scale refinery in the country.

Reflecting his long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s economic self-sufficiency and industrialization, Obasanjo lauded Eruani for initiating the project and charged him to ensure its completion within the next 12 months.

He recalled laying the foundation for the refinery eight years ago when the site was empty.

He also commended the technical and engineering team, as well as financiers African Finance Corporation (AFC) and Afrexim Bank, for their support, and advocated more funding to ensure completion.

The former President also used the occasion to reiterate his stance on economic justice for oil-producing states, advocating an upward review of the 13 per cent derivation formula, which he described as only a starting point.

He praised Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for putting derivation funds to good use, evident in projects across the state, and for supporting the refinery.

“You are right that the states and oil producing communities have not got a fair deal so far. Thirteen per cent is the beginning.

You can continue to talk. The most important thing is that even the little you have received, you have used it well,” Obasanjo told Diri.

In his remarks, Dr. Azibapu Eruani said the refinery will kickstart Bayelsa’s and the Niger Delta’s industrialization and make the region an active player in the oil industry.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting indigenous refineries in line with the Federal Government’s vision to make petroleum products available and affordable.

Governor Douye Diri said the refinery justifies years of agitation against injustice in the oil industry, faulting the Land Use Act and insisting that 13 per cent derivation is not enough.

“The Land Use Act is unfair. Surface resources belong to states but what lies underneath belongs to the Federal Government.

“That law is obnoxious and not good for any just society,” Diri said.

He called on oil companies operating in the Gbarain/Obunagha area to complement government efforts by rehabilitating the road leading to the refinery and urged Bayelsans to equip themselves to benefit from the project.