A coalition of civil society organizations, Friday, called for the immediate removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.
The coalition staged a protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, citing alleged sabotage of local refinery initiatives and calling for an end to Nigeria’s dependence on imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Speaking at the protest, coalition spokesperson Kennedy Tabuko criticized NNPCL’s management, accusing it of undermining local refinery efforts in favor of profit-driven policies.
“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,” Tabuko said.
VANGUARD reports that the coalition demanded that the government immediately investigate NNPCL’s practices and reconsider its leadership. They accused NNPCL of obstructing the operation of modular refineries in Nigeria and failing to provide the necessary support for domestic refining, calling these actions a deliberate act of sabotage against Nigeria’s economic development.
The coalition’s national spokesperson, Segun Adebayo, further stated, “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.
However, vested interests within NNPCL prioritize imports, hindering progress toward self-sufficiency and job creation.”
The group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take swift action, cautioning that failure to intervene could lead Nigeria into further economic crises. They called for an investigation into potential corruption within NNPCL, especially regarding PMS import policies.
The protesters pledged to continue their rallies nationwide until their demands are addressed. They urged President Tinubu to remove Kyari from his role and support initiatives that foster energy independence and economic sovereignty.
“We once again plead with President Tinubu, a listening leader, to take action now. The time has come to curb monopolistic control over our resources and fuel market to build a Nigeria that empowers local industries, ensures fair fuel pricing, and promotes economic sovereignty,” Adebayo concluded.
