Mariam Sanni
A Civil Society Organisation known as the Renewed Hope Interest Defenders, has called for the immediate removal of the Group Chief Executive Officers, CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari over alleged corruption and incompetence.
The Convener, Obed Agu said this while briefing newsmen at a World press conference held in Abuja.
He explained that since the appointment of the NNPCL boss in April, his favorite pastime has become jumping into private jets at the first opportunity and lavishly spending public funds.
He said that facts have shown that Nigeria’s oil industry has remained at a standstill since his assumption of duty.
According to him, the NNPCL fails to secure a $5 billion oil-backed loan from Saudi Arabia, which was expected to boost foreign exchange reserves.
He added that NNPCL’s failure to restart Nigeria’s refineries and the shutdown of the Otaku refinery without expert advice are criticised as acts of sabotage.
He noted that NNPCL’s inability to fund the 2025 budget has exposed the President to unfair criticism and caused untold hardship for Nigerian citizens.
“Since assumption of duty, Engr Ojulari has presided over the deterioration of the NNPCL into a theatre of protests and counter-protests, wasting valuable time and resources orchestrated vote of confidence by hired crowds, while abandoning the urgent responsibility of reviving Nigeria’s oil sector .
“Against this backdrop, we unanimously demand for the immediate resignation, sack and removal of Mr Ojulari and the appointment of another GCEO who has capacity to unite and serve as a stabilization link for the NNPCL and not a divisive element like Ojulari whose reign has brought crisis, lack of motivation, lavish spending and promoting business links with those whose agenda is different from that of the president,” he noted.
According to him, Ojulari decided to shut down Port Harcourt refinery without having any first hand information or even listening to expert advice that the refinery was working at 60 percent of its installed capacity .
The CSO demanded that the NNPCL must restart the nation’s refineries, end wasteful foreign spending and publicly apologise for shutting down functional refineries.
He emphasised that a competent, visionary and unifying GCEO must be appointed to restore confidence, unite management and reposition NNPC.
Agu stressed that all individuals implicated in past and present corrupt practices within the NNPCL must face justice to inspire investor confidence and safeguard the President’s reform agenda.
Further speaking, the convener expressed confidence in President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s ability to address the challenges faced by the NNPCL and lead the nation to its desired destination.
According to him, a unanimous and unresolved vote of confidence is passed on President Tinubu, urging him to take swift action against the NNPCL boss.
