16th August, 2024
By Richard Elesho/Kogi
Worried by the prolonged fuel scarcity and suspected economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, some stakeholders in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and other groups have added their voices to the call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to effect an all-encompassing change of guards in the petroleum sector.
In a letter dated 14 August and addressed to the president, the Tinubu Legacy Coalition, TLC, asked him to tinker with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, NMDPRA, accusing them of conspiring to frustrate policies of the government.
The letter was jointly signed by Hon Bala Abu, Convener/National President, Dr. Jeremmiah Okino, Co-Convener, Comrade Gabriel Gbana, Secretary, Dr. Thomas Terna, Princess Ajibola, and 95 others.
The party stakeholders urged the president to remove Mele Kyari, Gbenga Komolafe, and Farouk Ahmed as heads of the NNPCL, NUPRC, and NMDPRA, respectively.
Among other issues, the APC group cited the incessant fuel crisis resulting in constant queues at filling stations across the country, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft as part of the failures of Kyari, Komolafe, and Farouk.
They are also worried that the state-owned refinery in Rivers State has again failed to commence operations after about six postponements.
The group alleged that the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP has dwindled, stressing that the country’s reputation is being tarnished globally.
Part of the letter reads, “We are compelled to express our deep concern over the state of the nation’s oil and gas industry. Despite the sector’s potential to drive economic growth, it has been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement.
“The continued stay in the office of Mele Kyari, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and Farouk Ahmed have done more harm than good to the image of President Tinubu,” the letter said.
“The oil and gas sector is in shambles, with fuel scarcity, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft rampant.
“The sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP has dwindled, and the country’s reputation has been tarnished.
“The lack of transparency and accountability in the sector has led to widespread corruption, with billions of dollars lost to fraudulent activities.” The group therefore urged the President to save his name and the economy by removing the trio, tagging them as fifth columnists.
NMDPRA’s Farouk has been under intense criticisms from Nigerians over alleged uncomplimentary remarks about local petroleum refineries, arrogance, conflicting interests and incompetence.
There have been clamour for his suspension by legislators and analysts.
