Fuel hike: Imo monarch to lead self -demonstration

By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri
Following reports of increase in price of petroleum, a traditional ruler, Eze Desmond Ogugua, of Eziudo in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, in Imo state, said he would embark on self- demonstration to the National Assembly.
Ogugua said this to newsmen, at his place, adding that, states should be allowed to establish refineries.
This is coming days after Vanguard reported that in Imo state, the product is still sold between N180 and N195 as against approved government pump price of N145.
According to Ogugua, “Nigeria crying for shortage of petrol, it is unfortunate. Shame to them. Why can’t states establish their own refineries. How can they think that three refineries can serve Nigeria of millions of people.
“If the government is sincere, they should allow states own their own refineries. I remember, when David west was the minister of petroleum, he invited me to his office in Lagos.
“I challenge the minister of petroleum and NNPC, to tell the country, why we should have three refineries in Nigeria. I am begging Buhari and President of Senate, House of Representatives, to look into the petition I wrote to them. If not, I will lead a self protest to the National Assembly.
“K. O. Mbadiwe, Chief A. K Heart, myself Eze Desmond Ogugua, Obafemi Owolowo among others, should be appreciated for letting this country know the secret on how many barrels of oil produced.
The Imo monarch recalled that, “The people who worked for the interest of this country were we appreciated. It is on record that without us, Nigeria may not have established the NNPC, the Nigeria government got facts from us.
“Why should we stay in this country and start to cry for petroleum. And this happens, during the festivals, Christmas, that was when we suffer for scarcity of petroleum.
“In the Southeast region, we can float over twenty refineries, because we have individuals who can build a refinery. New Jersey in United States of America, have over one hundred and thirty refineries.
“Enough is Enough Nigeria. This matter, I brought it up when Buhari, was minster of petroleum, that was when he visited Washington.