Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for the 22 operational licences awarded for the establishment of modular refineries in the country.
He spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of one of the licensees, Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa state over the weekend.
Obasanjo said that the Buhari administration succeeded where others, including his, failed.
The former president described the Buhari administration’s effort in the establishment of modular refineries as “commendable”, while congratulating the owner of Azikel Petroleum, Eruani, for being the first to set up a modular refinery in the country.
He said that 18 operational licences were granted during his own administration but none was actualised.
Recall that Obasanjo had in a 13-page special statement released on January 23 asked Buhari not to seek reelection in 2019 on account of alleged non-performance.
However, speaking at the ceremony, he said, “I have been told that President Buhari and his government gave 22 licences and that Azikel Petroleum is the only license out of the 22 that is really actualised.
“Before then, we gave 18 and not one was actialised. They gave all manner of excuses, including insecurity and oil prices. But those excuses they gave are still there. But they were not genuine entrepreneurs. They were after collecting licences to get crude oil. And that is why in an occasion like this, we should pay special tribute to people like Eruani.
“I join you all in thanking President Buhari for giving four licences more than we gave. And he (Buhari) is lucky that he has a man like Eruani to be the only one to actualise.”
He equally praised Governor Seriake Dickson for creating the enabling environment for the establishment of the refinery.