Scores of demonstrators took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over the ongoing fuel scarcity that has plagued the nation.
The protest comes at a time when
the NNPCL has admitted that its considerable debt to fuel suppliers is
jeopardizing the sustainability of fuel supplies across the country.
The corporation has highlighted
that the financial burden is severely impacting its operations and could
further destabilize the already fragile fuel supply chain.
Human rights lawyer, Femi
Falana, who was recently a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, also
voiced concerns regarding the rising cost of living, the arbitrary hike in
petrol prices, and the resulting scarcity.
Falana emphasized the need to
uncover what he described as the “monumental fraud” in Nigeria’s fuel importation
process.
During the protest,
demonstrators chanted solidarity songs and displayed banners with messages such
as “We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not
working,” “No direction under Kyari,” and “We want accountability in the
affairs of NNPCL.”
The protesters decried what
they viewed as a dismal performance under Kyari’s leadership, calling for
greater transparency and accountability.
The Convener of the Coalition
of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, Aminu Abbas, addressed the media at
Unity Fountain after the rally, questioning why a country as rich in oil
resources as Nigeria continues to face such severe fuel scarcity.
Abbas called for immediate
action to address the ongoing crisis and ensure that the country’s refineries
are functioning efficiently.
He said, “To President Ahmed
Bola Tinubu and all those in positions of power, we say the time to act is now.
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.
“The fuel scarcity we endure
today is not just a mere inconvenience; it is a calculated perpetuation of
suffering. Under Mr Kyari’s leadership, the situation has gone from bad to
worse, with no end in sight. What has he done to alleviate this crisis? It is
clear he seems intent on maintaining a status quo that benefits only a select
few while the masses suffer.
“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.”
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