Nigerian Youth Patriots Demands Sack Of NNPCL GMD, Urge Anti-Graft To Probe Billions Paid In Salary To Non Productive Refinery Workers

The Nigerian Youth Patriots (NYP) A National Youth organisation promoting patriotism and Nationalism among Nigerian Youths has called for the immediate sack of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and a comprehensive investigation into alleged corruption in the nation’s refineries.

Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu, the President, Nigeria Youth Patriots (NYP) made the call while speaking on Radio Link, a live program on the network of Radio Nigeria Abuja. The group highlighted the persistent fuel scarcity and the continued importation of refined petroleum products despite the existence of local refineries as evidence of the GMD’s failure.

“It is disheartening that Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, continues to grapple with fuel shortages while billions of naira are expended on fuel importation. This is a clear indication of corruption and mismanagement at the highest level of the NNPCL,” said Nwachukwu.

The group further alleged that the refineries have been deliberately kept moribund to justify the importation of refined products, thereby enriching a few individuals at the expense of the Nigerian people. They demanded a thorough probe into the operations of the refineries to uncover the individuals behind the sabotage of the nation’s oil sector.

The group expressed displeasure that despite sinking over four billion dollars as turnaround maintenance of the moribund refinery and expending N127.326 billion on salaries, wages, and employee benefits between 2020 and 2021, the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refinery under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has failed to commence operations after about six postponements by the NNPCL GMD.

In July, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated categorically that the refinery would come into operation in early August 2024, whereas the same GMD Kyari had in 2019 told Nigerians that NNPC would deliver all the country’s refineries before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Nigerian Youth Patriots called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to take decisive action against the GMD and ensure that those involved in the corruption of the oil sector are brought to justice. The group also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence an immediate investigation into the matter.

Nigerian Youth Patriots NYP (YAPJEN) can be reached via nigeriayouthpatriots@gmail.com or +2349041242162.