A coalition of ethnic nationalities youth leaders in Nigeria has demanded the immediate dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
They accused the NNPCL of hindering the repair of indigenous refineries and obstructing the start-up of the Dangote refinery.
This call was part of a communiqué issued by the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council Worldwide on Tuesday following their meeting in Abuja.
The communiqué, endorsed by various leaders including Comrade Terry Obeih, Alhaji Balarabe Rufai, Aare Oladotun Hassan, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, Comrade Emmanuel Zopmal, and Alhaji Hamisu Dass, was made available to journalists.
This stance comes amidst complaints from Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, who claimed that International Oil Companies (IOCs) were impeding the Dangote Refinery’s fuel supply operations by selling crude oil at inflated prices. This has forced the refinery to import crude from distant countries, significantly increasing costs.
The youth leaders described the situation as unacceptable, noting that the hopes of citizens for reduced fuel costs through the Dangote refinery were being thwarted. They expressed concern over the NNPCL’s alleged sabotage of government efforts to make fuel affordable, emphasizing the broader economic impact of fuel prices on Nigeria’s mono-economy.
Recalling past promises made by NNPCL MD Mele Kyari about the Port Harcourt refinery, they criticized the lack of progress and transparency. They found it perplexing that months after Kyari’s assurances, there were no signs of the refinery beginning operations.
They also highlighted Edwin’s recent accusations against IOCs, noting that these issues are interconnected and need to be addressed by the Federal Government. The youth leaders accused a certain cabal within the NNPCL of deliberately preventing local petroleum refining to maintain their monopoly on imports and exploitation of Nigerians.
The group declared that Nigerians have suffered enough and called for Kyari’s resignation, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack him if he fails to step down. They warned that they would mobilize for a national protest to shut down the country if necessary.
The youth leaders also urged the National Assembly, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, to probe the NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership. They emphasized that fully operational local refineries would alleviate the suffering of the masses by ensuring a steady supply of locally produced petroleum products.
In reaffirming their support for President Tinubu, the youth leaders expressed hope that he would take decisive action in the interest of the country.