‘Invest Subsidy Funds In Refineries’

A Port Harcourt-based businessman, Hon. Kingsley Ukaga, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to invest the subsidy money in the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries to ensure availability of locally refined petrol.

Ukaga made the call in an interview with The Tide while reacting to the recent nationwide strike called by petrol importers and NUPENG over non-payment of subsidy claims owed them by Federal Government.

He noted that if petrol is refined in the country, the price will reduce drastically and called dialogue between government and NUPENG before embarking on strike.

The business tycoon who spoke at the wedding reception in honour of Mr and Mrs Christopher Obiorah last weekend said “if we were refining locally, the product would be cheap and advised the couple to make love and understanding their watchwords.

He commended the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration for its developmental strides, urging the people of Rivers State to be patient and supply him.

Echoing the views of Hon. Ukaga, President-General, Bronze Club of Igbuku, Mr Luke Umeokafor regretted that after the subsidy removal in January, there have been series of strike by oil workers and distributors of petroleum products and called for understanding in the interest of the nation and the people.

“There should be dialogue to settle any problem. I don’t like the situation whereby everyday, NUPENG holds the country to ransome”, saying “if government is owing fuel importers, strike should not be ultimate, rather there should be dialogue.

Mr. Christopher Obiorah thanked all those who made the wedding a success and advised youths to exhibit good character and behaviour to receive God’s blessings.

Shedie Okpara