The Federal Government yesterday denied reports that it has fixed November 1, for the total deregulation of the downstream oil sector.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity Prince Adetokunbo Kayode at a press conference in Abuja advised Nigerians to disregard the November 1 date, but insisted that deregulation was the only way out.
“As to the time when government will implement these, as far as I am concerned, whoever announced November 1, I don’t know. First of all, I don’t know who did it. I don’t know him, I know it is not me, I also know it is not the Petroleum Minister, I also know it is not the Ministry of Finance; so who?
“And of course it is not Dora Akunyili or even Mr. President. People jump on air and the press spread it up even though there is excess supply and this country can afford 45 days minimum for nonstop supply of fuel; it is available, but people started carrying jerry cans of fuel all over the place.”
While warning on Nigerians not to allow people with vested interest deceive them, Kayode explained that government is approaching the whole issue in a responsible and deliberate manner.
He said government is working on the details of a policy “whereby cheap industrial fuel can be made available to the critical manufacturing sectors.”
Government’s position is coming on the heel of planned protest by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in collaboration with Trade Union Congress (TUC), Civil Society Organizations, student bodies, market women and various interest groups billed for Thursday, October 29, 2009 in the nation’s capital city, Abuja.