Financial analyst Kelvin Emmanuel is facing backlash on social media for casting doubt on the functionality of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. His comments on Channels TV's Politics Today, where he claimed the refineries' ability to produce petroleum products was "almost zero," contradict recent reports from the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association (PETROAN) confirming fuel lifting has begun at both facilities.
Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) have expressed outrage and disappointment at Emmanuel's skepticism. User @abdullahayofel questioned his motives, accusing him of consistently criticizing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) while promoting Dangote's interests. The user suggested Emmanuel is pushing for a Dangote monopoly in fuel supply and alleged he is being funded to spread this narrative. @olutudemola criticized Channels TV for not presenting a balanced view, suggesting they should have included an NNPC representative or refinery operator in the discussion. @olutudemola also felt Emmanuel's assertions were biased. Another user, DSolabi, suggested Emmanuel should have visited the refineries to verify his claims before making them publicly.
Many users believe Emmanuel's arguments are misleading and urged him to visit the refineries himself. His comments have ignited a debate about the influence of private interests in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. This comes after Emmanuel previously praised the quality of Dangote's diesel, claiming it was superior to imported diesel. His recent refinery comments have led to accusations of prioritizing Dangote's interests over Nigeria's. Nigerians are calling for stakeholders to work together to develop the oil and gas industry following deregulation.
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