Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has advised the Federal Government to enact stiffer punishments for those trying to frustrate the country’s economy from growing.

Oshiomhole said the call became necessary following the outcry by Dangote Refinery of frustration and difficulties being experienced in securing local crude oil in the country.

The refinery had accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the country of doing everything to frustrate the survival of the company’s refinery and petrochemicals.

But Oshiomhole, who spoke in Abuja at the first public lecture in solidarity support and honour of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with the theme: ‘Nigeria Yesterday, Today and a Prosperous Future,’ said economic saboteurs deserve to be hanged.

The event was organised by President and Executive Program Director of the Public Policy Advocacy and Research Council, Inc (PPARC), Prof Emeka Umerah.

Oshiomhole who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, also revealed that the National Assembly will review the Petroleum Industry Act.

He said: “With all the fanfare and celebration of Dangote Refinery that, for once, we now have a Nigerian who has initiated and built one of the world’s biggest refineries, Nigeria’s crude oil is still being exported while Dangote is denied some allocations. They prefer to import it to Europe and leave Dangote to import its crude from America into Nigeria.

“Those guys deserve to be hanged. If we don’t hang them, they will hang all of us. What it takes to hang them will require a president with extraordinary courage. They are importing diesel even at a time when the CBN is saying there is too much pressure on our imports. President Tinubu celebrated the achievement (refinery) because it was his dream to create a free trade zone in that part of Lagos, which Dangote now took advantage of to locate his factory. What he saw as a governor between 1999 and 2007 was what they built.

“It is the product of his work that Dangote Refinery now located in Lagos can satisfy the Nigerian market. Yet, some Nigerians who joined us in lamenting (the fuel hike) are the ones importing low-quality diesel prohibited in Europe. They are bringing in diesel that will pollute our environment, destroy our engines, and use our scarce foreign exchange to pay for it. Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery in Lagos is in a position to produce diesel and even announced a reduction of the price.

“Can you believe Nigeria produces the oil that multinationals refuse to sell to Dangote? And we have a government that is even appealing and urging them that you must sell. Excuse me, we have a lot to do. We need a balance of some madness and ruthlessness.”

The guest speaker, Prof. Sam Amadi of Baze University, said Nigeria should not despair in the face of challenges, noting that the country can benefit from its existential problems.

According to Amadi, the Nigerian leadership should fast-track economic development through diversification and implementation of direct state principles.

“The social contract we are proposing requires elected officials to fast-track economic development through diversification.

“Apart from being the biggest economy in the country, we were first but we are fourth after South Africa, Egypt and Algeria.”

Also speaking, Umerah lauded the achievements of Tinubu for his visionary leadership.

“In the spirit of boldness, courage, and determination, I must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a true visionary, for his maverick style of leadership over the past year.

“Leading Nigeria requires navigating complex challenges and making decisions that may not yield immediate results or compliments.

“Forgoing political expediency, President Tinubu has shown remarkable courage in confronting these challenges, steering our nation towards a brighter future. (Ad Lib) Reflecting on his first year in office, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the strides we’ve made.

“It’s akin to witnessing the biblical walls of Jericho crumble (Ad Lib)… (Dramatic Pause) each blow against corruption, each policy aimed at economic revitalization echoing like Joshua’s trumpets.

“President Tinubu’s tenure exemplifies the Jerichoan feat of overcoming obstacles that once seemed insurmountable. (Ad Lib) As we celebrate these achievements, let us not forget that our work is far from over.

“We must continue to embolden the bold, to encourage the courageous, and to unite in our efforts to build a nation where every citizen has a fair chance at success, and where prosperity reaches every corner of our land.

“So, my fellow Nigerians, let us rise to this challenge together. Let us shun division, but rather harness the spirit of unity and determination that defines us as a people.”

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