By Ayomide Otitoju
A coalition of civil society organizations has called for immediate investigations into alleged sabotage in the operations of Nigeria’s petroleum refineries, demanding the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari. The coalition claims his leadership has hindered progress toward refinery self-sufficiency and economic stability.
The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations held a protest rally at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday, denouncing NNPCL’s policies as profit-driven and obstructive to local energy initiatives. According to Segun Adebayo, the coalition’s national spokesperson, NNPCL’s continued reliance on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) imports places a severe burden on Nigeria’s economy, costing the nation billions in foreign exchange while citizens suffer from price fluctuations and currency devaluation.
“Despite Nigeria’s potential to refine fuel locally, vested interests within NNPCL have perpetuated import dependency, prioritizing personal gain over national prosperity,” Adebayo stated. “This approach undermines self-sufficiency and exposes Nigeria to international oil market volatility, which is both unsustainable and unacceptable.”
The coalition also advocates for policy changes, including a mandate to sell crude oil to local refineries in naira, which they argue would curb foreign exchange losses and bolster the naira. “Selling crude in naira would signal a commitment to strengthening local industries and safeguarding economic sovereignty,” added Benjamin James, the coalition’s national coordinator.
The civil society groups urged authorities to investigate these issues and take immediate action, emphasizing the need to prioritize Nigeria’s economic self-sufficiency over foreign dependency.
