Civil Society Group Supports Falana, Opposes Privatization of State Refineries

[toluwalopesong]

Civil Society Group Supports Falana, Opposes Privatization of State-Owned Refineries

A prominent civil society group has declared its support for human rights lawyer Femi Falana's stance against the privatization of Nigeria's state-owned refineries. The group emphasized the need to retain these critical assets under government control to ensure transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of national interests.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), recently criticized proposals to sell the refineries, arguing that privatization could lead to exploitation by private entities and undermine Nigeria's energy security. Echoing his concerns, the civil society group highlighted the historical failures of privatized entities in the country and called for strategic reforms instead of outright sales.

The group further urged the federal government to invest in the rehabilitation of existing refineries, citing the successful models of state-managed oil and gas industries in other nations. They stressed that retaining public ownership would enable the government to better regulate the sector, create jobs, and ensure equitable access to petroleum products.

While some stakeholders advocate privatization as a solution to inefficiencies and corruption in the oil sector, opponents argue that a well-managed public ownership model could achieve the same objectives without risking the nation's strategic assets.

The debate over the future of Nigeria's refineries continues to be a contentious issue, with implications for the country's energy policy, economic stability, and sovereignty.