Fuel crisis: Rights group demand sack of Petroleum Minister, Kyari over alleged incompetence ..

…rallies youths to occupy NNPCL towers over rot in oil sector

The Conference by Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) have called for the immediate sack of the Minister of state Petroleum, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, and the management of the NNPCL led by Mele Kyari due to the rot in the oil and gas industry of the economy.

EUYI’s National Coordinator, Comrade Danesi Momoh at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday expressed readiness to rally youths to occupy the NNPCL Towers to press home their demands on Tuesday next week.

The rights group argued that as a result of the hike in the price of fuel, the vast majority of Nigerians can no longer feed and can no longer go out to look for work, or go to work where the salary is below the cost of transport.

Decrying the hike in the price of PMS to N855 and above, the group claimed that Lokpobiri, is completely out of touch with what was happening under his Ministry and core sector.

Justifying the call for Lokpobiri removal, the group contended: “When NNPCL lied that Port Harcourt Refinery will start functioning in December 2023, Lokpobiri did not only join the lie, but went further early this year to deceive Nigeria that the refinery was indeed ready. So it is understandable why there cannot be Consequences for the failings of NNPCL.

“Also, when the NNPCL admitted that it imported bad fuel into the country, meaning that it went for a poor quality oil and skipped the necessary tests, the Minister of State who is supposed to adequately inform and advise the President on Oil matters pretended that it did not happen.

“A lot of public fund went down the drain as they had to evacuate millions of litres of Petroleum products. Many Nigerians lost their vehicle engines to severe damages caused by that serious act of negligence. This matter, we heard, is now being litigated by some Nigerians. We salute them and promise our support.

“The same NNPCL was in denial of it financial insolvency, only to later admit that they are in debt of over $6 billion. This a Company declaring profit a few weeks ago; operating with zero integrity and behaving like a criminal gang.

“Again, the Minister of State is there either as a direct accomplice or someone who has no control or role. If therefore he has nothing to contribute to the system, let him go home.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 3 (1) (a),(b),(c) empowers the Minister to formulate, monitor and administer government policies in the Petroleum Industry; exercise general supervision over the affairs and operations of the Petroleum Industry in accordance with the provisions of the PIA; and report developments in the Petroleum Industry to government. Everyone knows that the day-to-day ministerial functions of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is exercised by the Ministers of State (Oil) and (Gas). And as far as the Oil Sector is concerned, Lokpobiri has failed in exercising his power and achieving his mandate in the interest of the country.

“There is a limit to what Nigerians can take. And it has gotten to a suffocating level. We, as advocates for the Unemployed and underemployed Nigerians have decided to start somewhere. And that is to call out the Political Leadership of the Oil Sector and demand his clarity of position or immediate sack. We are also calling once again, that this present crop of managers of NNPCL should join the Minister of State.”