Former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has issued a crucial appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the urgent need to revive Nigeria's key refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. In a statement released on Wednesday, Murray-Bruce emphasized the importance of selecting bold and competent individuals who are capable of enacting significant reforms in the nation’s petroleum sector.

Murray-Bruce, known for his advocacy for common sense solutions in governance, described the type of leaders needed as 'mad men'—a term he uses to characterize courageous public officials willing to challenge entrenched interests and dismantle ineffective systems. He believes that such transformational leadership is essential for moving beyond the current cycle of excuses and technical assessments that have plagued the sector.

Highlighting the operational potential of the refineries, Murray-Bruce stated that the three state-owned facilities should collectively achieve a reliable throughput of at least 325,000 barrels per day. This output is vital not only for meeting domestic demand but also for positioning Nigeria as a competitive exporter of refined petroleum products.

Moreover, he urged President Tinubu to appoint officials who can help drive the nation’s crude oil production towards the ambitious target of four million barrels per day by 2030. This goal aligns with the administration’s vision for a more robust oil and gas sector that can support Nigeria's economic growth and stability.

The call for action comes in the wake of a recent meeting between President Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), where the President assured that efforts would be made to ensure the functionality of the state-owned refineries. However, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has since challenged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to demonstrate tangible progress in the revamp of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of its petroleum sector, Murray-Bruce's message underscores the urgency for decisive leadership and action to restore the country’s refining capabilities and enhance its oil production.