APC, Obaseki In War Of Words Over Ownership Of Modular Refinery

APC, Obaseki In War Of Words Over Ownership Of Modular Refinery

The Chairman Media Campaign Council of Edo State All Progressives Congress, (APC), John Mayaki has accused the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration of deceiving the people of the state over the ownership of a modular refinery being built in the state which he said the state government had been showcasing as one of its projects.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Mayaki said the modular refinery which a delegation from the federal government came to inspect last week is actually owned by private concerns and that the federal government contributed to it by giving import waivers to the materials being used for the construction and that the contribution of the state government is not enough for it to claim ownership of the refinery.

He said:

As it stands now, no one can debate the fact that Mr. Godwin Obaseki is falsehood personified, a wrapped bag of lies that continue to give. Today, the lie is with the Edo Modular refinery at Ologbo, a project that having been funded by both foreign businesses and the federal government has neared completion and commissioning.

“And then, suddenly, Obaseki emerges from his slumber, scheming to mount tape and ribbon at the site and take glory for a project he knew and contributed little to.

“To be clear, and for the records, it is important to state here that the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company is owned by AIPCC Energy Limited, a joint venture between AFCOM and Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China and was built at the cost of 10.2million dollars.

The refinery will be producing diesel, Naptha, and Fuel oil (LPFO).

“The Federal Government supported the project by granting duty waivers on refinery equipment and components. The PCC, equally, is a partner to the EPC. If the Federal Government that offered tangible support which if factored in cost would amount to millions of dollars is not claiming credit for the project, why is the Obaseki-administration parading the premises of the refinery, claiming to have achieved a landmark project?

“The answer is clear: the Edo State Government of Godwin Obaseki has achieved nothing for the past four years they have been at the helm. Now, then, that it has come to a period where it is important to showcase its job portfolio, the administration is fumbling and biting dust, looking for whom to deceive and mislead.”

But a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been having sleepless nights after being confronted with facts about the role Governor Obaseki played in the establishment of the modular refinery.

He said:

“After last week’s visit of a federal government delegation to the Edo Modular Refinery in Ologbo, the APC is now clearly confused as their campaign seems to have been deflated by the stellar performance of Governor Obaseki and the near-total acceptance Obaseki enjoys from Edo people.”

Osagie noted:

“Just last week, the presidency sent emissaries to Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State to inspect the Edo Refinery project and the federal government officials were not only satisfied with what they saw on ground but showered encomiums on Obaseki for the landmark achievement.

“During the visit, the seed investment of N700 million which Edo State government made to kick-off this project was eloquently highlighted as well as other interests of the Edo State Government in the project.

“Understandably, this event gave the opposition sleepless nights and this feeble lie is the response they have decided to deploy in an attempt to pacify their supporters who have been questioning their jaundiced criticisms of Governor Obaseki and transferring their allegiance in large numbers to the Wake and See Governor.”