A coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria has demanded the immediate sack of the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Mele Kyari, over the fuel scarcity in the country.
In a rally held at the Abuja Unity Fountain yesterday, the convener of the group, Comrade Aminu Abbas blamed Kyari for the unfortunate development.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards bandied by the protesters read: “We are tired of hearing stories about our refineries”, “No direction, Kyari is just drifting with the wind”, “Probe Kyari for under remittance of oil proceeds”, and “We want accountability in the affairs of NNPCL”.
The coalition, while decrying the state of disrepair of the refineries, alleged importation of adulterated petroleum products and sabotage of local refineries, claimed that under Mr Kyari’s leadership, the situation has gone from bad to worse, with no end in sight.
“Why do we, the people, have to endure endless queues, inflated prices, and the daily uncertainty of whether we can fuel our vehicles or power our homes? The answer lies in the gross incompetence and mismanagement that have become the hallmarks of Mr Kyari’s leadership,” the coalition claimed.
“We ask: what has he done to alleviate this crisis? Where are the solutions? Why are our refineries, which should be the backbone of our fuel supply, still in disrepair?
” It is clear that Mr Kyari has failed to take the necessary steps to resolve these issues. Instead, he seems intent on maintaining a status quo that benefits only a select few while the masses suffer.”
The coalition thereby demanded the immediate removal of Mr Mele Kyari from his position as group managing director to restore sanity in the oil sector of the economy.
It noted: “To President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and all those in positions of power, we say this: the time to act is now. Show us that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just empty rhetoric. Show us that you stand with the people, not those who profit from our misery.
“Mr Kyari must be shown the way out, and the NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced. We will not be ignored. We will continue to raise our voices until justice is done and our demands are met.
“We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda promises a new beginning for our country, a path to prosperity and security for all Nigerians. But how can we achieve this vision with individuals like Mr Kyari at the helm of our most critical national assets? His actions—or lack thereof—directly contradict the President’s agenda.
” It is clear that Mr. Kyari cannot be an envoy of this new hope. Instead, he stands as an obstacle, a relic of the old ways that have brought us nothing but pain and despair.”
