Meet December refinery repair deadline, Afenifere urges FG

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to work toward meeting its December deadline for the operation of refineries in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu, during a recent meeting with the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, assured that the Port-Harcourt refinery will commence operation by December 2023.

Afenifere, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, Oyo State, said the call was part of the resolutions of the group at the meeting held at the Akure residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on Tuesday.

The group also called on the government and security agencies to urgently take steps that would be more effective in tackling the insecurity threatening the socio-economic well-being of the people.

“Afenifere tasks the Federal Government to meet the December deadline given for Port Harcourt refinery to resume production. The government should also accelerate actions that would strengthen the value of our currency, enhance productivity, and reduce the costs of items.

“The organisation also calls for acceleration of actions in the power sector by the Minister of Power and Energy, Adebayo Adelabu in view of the pivotal roles that power is playing in the economic and social lives of the people.”

In attendance at the meeting were representatives from various state chapters of Afenifere as well as a coordinator of the organisation in the United States of America and Canada.