The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to rebuild the nation’s refineries to reduce the negative effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

ASUU president Emmanuel Osodeke gave the advice on Wednesday at a Maiden Public Lecture and Groundbreaking ceremony of its secretariat at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University (AE-FUNAI), Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi.

“In fact, we don’t believe in fuel subsidy. There is no subsidy in this country. You cannot be exporting crude oil for the past 70 years, and yet you cannot refine the crude oil and sell to your people.

“Sell it to your people at the Nigerian rate and not in dollars. You see, something is wrong. So, there is need to rebuild our refineries and prioritize the nation’s education for sustainable development,”

Mr Osedeke decried how the government had spent trillions of naira on repairing the refineries, advising that restoring them would ensure sustainable development in the oil industry and in all other sectors.

“Let me tell you, any nation that doesn’t promote education always invites crisis. On subsidy removal, we are an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). So, whatever action they are taking on this nationwide issue,” the ASUU leader explained. “We’ll support them, and our next action depends on NLC.”

Ex-ASUU president, Biodun Ogunyemi, urged the federal and state governments to embrace research and prioritise education and improve citizens’ quality of life.

(NAN)