November 8, 2024
By Idris Buba
The demand for the immediate removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari has intensified as a coalition of civil society organizations, on Friday took their protest to the national assembly.
The coalition, who staged a protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, alleged sabotage of local refinery initiatives and called for an end to Nigeria’s dependence on imported Petrol.
The coalition spokesperson, Kennedy Tabuko, criticized NNPCL’s management and accused it of undermining local refinery efforts in favor of profit-driven importation of product.
Tabuko, said “We’re here today because of the concerning actions within the oil sector. The government continues to prioritize fuel imports despite having local refineries, which only increases pressure on our foreign reserves,”
The coalition demanded the immediate investigation of NNPCL’s practices and reconsider its leadership. They accused NNPCL of deliberately obstructing the operation of modular refineries in Nigeria while it has failed to provide the necessary support for domestic refining.
They described the actions of NNPCL as act of sabotage.
National spokesperson of the coalition, Segun Adebayo, emphasized that, “This dependency on imported fuel drains Nigeria’s foreign reserves and puts our economy under significant strain. Local refineries, such as the Dangote Refinery, have the potential to ensure energy independence and economic growth.
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However, vested interests within NNPCL prioritize imports, hindering progress toward self-sufficiency and job creation.”
The coalition, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene as further delays could lead Nigeria into further economic crises. They called for investigation into the corruption within NNPCL, especially petrol import policies.
The protesters resolved to continue their rallies nationwide until their demands are addressed and urged President Tinubu to remove Kyari from his role, create support initiatives that will foster local energy dependence and economic growth.
