‘‘The oil sector is in shambles’’ APC stakeholders demand removal of KYARI, 2 others

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 –Some stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of the Tinubu Legacy Coalition (TLC), have called on President Bola Tinubu to remove the heads of the nation’s oil and gas regulatory agencies over alleged failure to effectively manage the sector.

The group made the call in a letter to the president, which was jointly signed by Hon Bala Abu, Convener/National President, Dr. Jeremmiah Okino, Co-Convener, Comrade Gabriel Gbana, Secretary, Dr. Thomas Terna, Princess Ajibola, and 95 others.

The party stakeholders urged the president to remove Mele Kyari, Gbenga Komolafe, and Farouk Ahmed as heads of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), respectively.

Among other issues, the APC group cited the incessant fuel crisis resulting in constant queues at filling stations across the country, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft as part of the failures of Kyari and other officials in the oil sector.

There are also reports that the refinery under the management of the NNPCL in Rivers State has again failed to commence its operations after about six postponements.

The group also alleged that the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP has dwindled, stressing that the country’s reputation is being tarnished globally.

Part of the letter reads, “We are compelled to express our deep concern over the state of the nation’s oil and gas industry. Despite the sector’s potential to drive economic growth, it has been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement.

“The continued stay in office of Mele Kyari, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, and Farouk Ahmed has done more harm than good to the image of President Tinubu,” the letter said.

“The oil and gas sector is in shambles, with fuel scarcity, pipeline vandalism, and oil theft rampant.

“The sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP has dwindled, and the country’s reputation has been tarnished.

“The lack of transparency and accountability in the sector has led to widespread corruption, with billions of dollars lost to fraudulent activities.”