The League of Civil Society Groups has declared support for the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, assuring Nigerians that the positive impact of these changes will soon begin to manifest.
During a peaceful demonstration yesterday in Abuja, the league president, Bassa Mohammed, decried the wave of incessant protests by groups he described as being sponsored by individuals determined to discredit the administration’s achievements in the sector.
Mohammed said the petroleum minister and the heads of agencies and parastatals under the ministry have been performing commendably, adding that the League is passing a vote of confidence in their leadership.
“We are here today to lend our voices to a critical industry because the nation cannot develop beyond the strength of its oil and gas sector.
A lot is being done, and it will take time for these efforts to yield results. We are watching, and if the need arises, we will hold them accountable, but so far, we see no reason to believe they are going astray,” he stated.
Mohammed condemned politically motivated protests in Abuja aimed at discrediting key appointees in the sector.
He advised aggrieved individuals to follow due process and submit their concerns to the appropriate institutions instead of fanning the flames of chaos.
“It’s like seeing an antelope dancing on the road while the real drummer hides in the bush. We want the person in the bush to come out,” he said.
Also lending his voice, the vice president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Muktar Akoshile, urged young people to stay focused and avoid being used as tools for selfish interests.
“We know there’s hardship, but this is a transition period. Young people should not allow anyone to drag them into protests that don’t represent their real interests,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Mohammed explained that removing the subsidy was necessary to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
He said the previous subsidy regime mainly enriched a few individuals at the expense of the masses.
“In other countries, subsidies go to agriculture and education, but we subsidise consumption. It’s time we channelled subsidies into more productive sectors,” he added.
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