Group urges Tinubu to disregard calls for NMDPRA Boss sack, says allegations lack merit

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Arewa Youth Assembly has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard the calls to sack the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

The assembly also urged the security agencies to bring those responsible for impersonating Northern Youths and attempting to blackmail Ahmed to justice.

Recently, a coalition of Northern Youths Organizations called on the President to sack Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In a statement on Wednesday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, described the so-called organization as a faceless group that had not been featured anywhere before now, and whose allegations lack basis and substance.

“The so-called press release by these faceless cowards, whom we challenge to reveal their true identities, lacks truth and substance. It is riddled with numerous errors and misconceptions, and carries no message but that of a smear campaign, slander, and character assassination against one of the best minds in Nigeria, Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” the statement read.

“To clarify and expose the ignorance of these cowards, Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is a versatile individual, highly skilled, well-trained, and a professional engineer with over three decades of experience.

“Since his appointment, he has excelled in discharging his duties by upholding the highest standards of transparency, discipline, honesty, accountability, and patriotism, in accordance with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“As the Chief Executive Officer of a regulatory body in the oil and gas sector, Engineer Farouk has introduced several regulations to aid, coordinate, and guide the activities of the midstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

“The first set of regulations targeted issues involving petroleum transportation and shipment, the assignment or transfer of licenses and permits, gas pricing for domestic demand and delivery, natural gas pipeline tariffs, petroleum measurement, and midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

“These regulations have culminated in an economic boost for the country, ensuring the judicious use of crude oil to achieve rapid economic growth by generating more revenue to carry out various projects in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and human capital development.

“In light of the above, it is clear that Engineer Farouk Ahmed has only brought progress, development, and stability to the entire oil and gas sector.

“Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to fighting against the falsehoods, fraud, and fabrications propagated by these criminals. Their allegations are unfounded, flawed, without any evidence, and nowhere close to the truth.

“It is merely a strategy in their plot to cause economic harm, sabotage the oil and gas sector, and distract Engineer Farouk Ahmed from giving his best to the nation.”