Fuel crisis: Group calls for Lokpobiri, Kyari’s sack

The Conference by Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) has demanded the sack of the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) led by Mele Kyari over the worsening fuel supply challenges in the country.

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

The rights group argued that as a result of the hike in the pump price of petrol, the vast majority of Nigerians can no longer feed or go out to look for work.

The group noted that the cost of transportation has since risen above the salary paid to most workers.

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

Justifying the call for Lokpobiri’s 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 funds 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, thee 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.”

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