Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, says Nigerians should be proud that the Federal Government is set to resume the importation of petroleum products from neighbouring Niger Republic.


Sylva said contrary to comments by critics of the government, the plan by the Federal Government to resume fuel importation from its West African brother should not be seen as ‘an embarrassment’ but rather as a means of encouraging intra-regional trade.

The PUNCH had reported that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources announced last Thursday in a statement that the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding for petroleum products transportation and storage.

According to the statement, Niger Republic’s Soraz Refinery in Zinder, some 260km from the Nigerian border, has an installed refining capacity of 20,000 barrels per day.


The move by the Federal Government attracted steaming criticisms with many knocking the government over its inability to keep the country’s refineries running.

But reacting on Monday evening while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme monitored by The PUNCH, the minister said Nigeria is a big market that needs excess fuel products manufactured in other countries.

Sylva said, “I don’t see that as an embarrassment at all. As a country, Nigeria is a big market, we need products, even if all our refineries were functioning, we will still need extra products.


“Niger Republic produces oil and they are landlocked as a country. They have a refinery that produces in excess of what they require as a country and they offered to sell to us in Nigeria because this is a bigger market.

“In the spirit of regional cooperation, regional trade development, we decided to buy from them. I don’t see anything wrong with that. If your neighbour is producing something that is required in your country and you buy from him, why is that a big problem?


“So, we agreed with Niger to buy the excess of what they don’t require in Niger because this is a big market.”

“Nigerians should be proud that we are doing that to encourage sub-regional trade because we have been talking about sub-regional trade for a long time and this is how it should be between neighbouring countries. Niger should import from us what they have and we should be able to import from Niger what they have. Let us encourage intra-regional trade and this is one good example of trading within West Africa,” he added.

https://punchng.com/nigerians-should-be-proud-of-fuel-imports-from-niger-republic-sylva/?amp=1

My conclusion
Deluded men are ruling us
Lalasticlala

Why not?

Our president is from Niger republic.

Half the North is from there.

We are proud.

This nation is being administered by incredibly stupid and clueless people.

iwaeda:
My conclusion
Deluded men are ruling us
Lalasticlala

Delusion is an understatement.

They have completely lost touch with reality.

Racoon:
This nation is being administered by incredibly stupid and clueless people.

Proud of importing fuel from Niger Niamey?
Nigeria is in trouble

Racoon:
This nation is being administered by incredibly stupid and clueless people.

It's a miracle that this country has a semblance of an economy.
Anywhere else, and it would be a Venezuela.

Nigerians are incredibly tenacious.

Don't blame Buhari for the recession, blame Osibanjo, the chairman of the Economic recovery team.

CSTRR:

It's a miracle that this country has a semblance of an economy.
Anywhere else, and it would be a Venezuela.

Nigerians are incredibly tenacious.

Individuals are trying to survive and improving their economy

It seems there is something about Nigeria politics that once u get to those office it takes away ur good sense of reasoning...Na wa Sylvia say make we dey proud say our refinery no dey work

CSTRR:

Delusion is an understatement.

They have completely lost touch with reality.

And some kids here are hailing them

Lol......same Sylvia that said that Diesel and kerosine has more impact on Nigerians than Fuel

I watched the interview and the man was incoherent.

Lolzzzz.... When you thought you have seen it all!! Boom!!! This trash talk pops up!

Now many people will understand why "so help me God" ended the Nigeria national pledge.

We are proud of you Oga Silva.

Aflix:
Lol......same Sylvia that said that Diesel and petrol has more impact on Nigerians than Fuel

I watched the interview and the man was incoherent.

Sounded like someone high on gegemu