By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has alleged a plot by oil cabals in Nigeria in connivance with some International Oil Companies (IOCs) to ensure private refineries in the country, including the new Dangote Refinery, do not work.
For many years, the four refineries built by the government have not worked optimally despite huge funds channelled to repair and keep them functional.
There have been accusations of economic sabotage by some persons, who want the country to continue to import petroleum products, including the premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from outside the country despite having crude oil in abundance.
At the November 2024 Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service themed Total Restoration, the respected cleric, who did not explicitly name the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, noted that some unscrupulous oil marketers were bent on ensuring Nigerians continue to suffer for their gains.
He asked the congregation to pray for divine intervention because God used Mr Aliko Dangote to build the oil facility in the Lekki area of Lagos State after years of failed attempts to revive the four public refineries in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt.
“Are we under a curse?” he asked, saying, “We have four refineries, we poured all kinds of money into them, but none of them is working. But God raised someone to build a refinery that works. He is not my relative, he is not from my village. He is not even a Christian, but he is a Nigerian who says, Why should my people suffer when I have the means to build a refinery that can work? Now he is refining petrol, and some people want to stop him from selling it, so they can keep importing.”
He described the abolished fuel subsidy as a significant drain on Nigeria’s resources, contributing to the country’s mounting debts and corruption.
He stressed that when President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the subsidy in 2023, Nigerians largely welcomed the decision, but oil marketers, who benefitted from the subsidy regime, were furious.
The man of God called for prayer for the total restoration of the country, noting that the Nigerian people are suffering the consequences, as the prices of essential goods have soared, pushing many items beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
“The masses are the ones suffering because these marketers, who are bent on keeping imports alive, already have more money than they can ever spend,” he submitted.
Despite the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s capacity to meet Nigeria’s entire demand for petroleum products – and even to export surplus fuel – oil marketers continue to pressurise the government to allow ongoing petrol imports. This has placed additional strain on the Naira, which has continued to depreciate.
Recently, the Crude Oil Refineries Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) urged the government to protect local refineries from unfair competition posed by importers and international petroleum traders, in line with provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
