In a bold move to address the lingering issues in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, the deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently remove Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, along with his executives.
This call comes in the wake of allegations made by business mogul Aliko Dangote, who accused certain individuals within the NNPC of importing substandard petrol products into Nigeria. Dangote claimed that these NNPC officials were operating a clandestine petroleum refinery in Malta, from where they imported inferior fuel into the country.
In response, Mele Kyari challenged Dangote to disclose the identities of the accused NNPC workers. Kyari, through his social media platforms, firmly denied owning any blending plant in Malta or being aware of any of his colleagues involved in such activities.
Agbese, speaking to journalists on Friday in Abuja, vehemently refuted claims that the Dangote Refinery was reselling shipments of crude oil from the United States and Nigeria. He accused the NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of orchestrating efforts to undermine the homegrown refinery.
“We have witnessed numerous de-marketing campaigns aimed at discrediting the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, causing panic, uncertainty, and the re-emergence of fuel queues,” Agbese stated. “It is condemnable that the NNPC and NMDPRA are involved in these plots to tarnish the refinery’s reputation.”
Agbese highlighted that the real issue lies with certain interests within the NNPC and NMDPRA, who are intent on importing contaminated fuels into Nigeria, exacerbating the plight of Nigerians. “The NNPC and NMDPRA are behind the false reports claiming that the Dangote Refinery is reselling its crude oil allocations,” he said. “As a proactive institution committed to the nation’s wellbeing, the House aims to investigate these allegations thoroughly to ensure economic stability.”
He further emphasized that the House of Representatives had previously directed the President to dismiss the CEO of NMDPRA. “The House will not hesitate to call for the removal of Mele Kyari if their attempts to sabotage the refinery project, a vital national asset, do not cease immediately,” Agbese warned.
“The damage being inflicted on the country’s economy by these agencies must be arrested. Therefore, Mr. President must act swiftly to sack Mele Kyari as CEO of NNPC, along with the leadership of both NNPC and NMDPRA, to protect the integrity of the Dangote Refinery,” Agbese concluded.
Adding to this, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, recently led a delegation on a familiarization visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Lagos. This visit, part of ongoing efforts to support and understand the nation’s key industries, provided valuable insights that will guide the House’s legislative measures.
Abbas assured that the House is committed to creating a more business-friendly environment, aiming to make Nigeria an attractive destination for both local and international investors.
PIONEER NEWS 