Posted by From JACOB EDI and BASHIR UMAR, Abuja . on
Former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has made an impassioned plea for the establishment of a refinery in the South-East geo-political zone, even as the Federal Government battles the embarrassing energy crisis.
Former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has made an impassioned plea for the establishment of a refinery in the South-East geo-political zone, even as the Federal Government battles the embarrassing energy crisis.
Kalu's call comes against the backdrop of biting fuel scarcity in all the five states of the zone, a situation that has paralyzed economic activities and hampered progress in the civil service as most workers take a long stroll to their offices.
'Honestly, I think it is time for a refinery to be built in the South-East. A zone that boasts of two oil producing states deserves a fair share of industries. This will help solve the fuel crisis in the country. Anytime I travel from Abakaliki to Owerri, Enugu to Awka down to Umuahia, it hurts to see fellow Nigerians struggling for fuel," Kalu, who is also chairman Board of Trustee of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), said. He described the crisis as unfortunate.
'It is a painful experience to suffer lack in the midst of plenty. Here is a zone blessed with oil wells in Abia and Imo respectively. Historically, Shell Oil prospectors began from this part of the country. That is why in Owerri, you have a group of residential quarters known as Shell Camp, a stone throw from the Government House. It is unfortunate that with all the oil wells around the South-East, you have woes smudged across the faces of the people," he noted with a tinge of bitterness ringing in his voice.
Last Friday, the five South-East governors put party leanings aside and decried the non-availability of petroleum products in their respective states.
Rising from a meeting in Enugu, capital of the old eastern region, they debunked the position of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) that the depots in Enugu and Aba were rendered dysfunctional by pipeline vandals.
The governors announced their preparedness to assist the security agencies in mounting round-the-clock surveillance on PPMC facilities spread all over the zone.
Kalu also made a case for the creation of at least an additional state in the South-East, explaining that it would not only boost development but would also give the people more confidence in the polity.
'The South-East is the zone with the least number of states at five, while others have six or more. It does not look balanced enough. You know what goes with the creation of states. More resources, more jobs, and youths empowerment. I hope government will do the will of the people," Kalu said.