•Protest alleged corruption, others
By Dickson Pat, Abuja
Niger Delta Youths leaders, under the auspices of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Forum, yesterday, stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Abuja, among other things demanding the resignation of Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Engr. Bashir Ojulari over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
The protesters converged before 6:am, blocking the entrance and exit gates of the NNPCL Towers.
The protesters carrying placards disrupted vehicular movement on the Herbert Macaulay Way in the Central Business District, Abuja.
They also called for the appointment of an indigene of the Niger Delta as the GCEO of the NNPCL.
Besides, they demanded the immediate restart of the Port Harcourt Refineries, describing its prolonged shutdown as a deliberate economic strangulation of oil-bearing communities.
The demonstrators, led by the President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, called for urgent Federal Government intervention to revive the critical national asset.
Lokpobiri, who also serves as Chairman of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Forum, said the oil producing region can no longer tolerate promises without action on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refineries.
“We are also demanding the restart of the Port Harcourt refineries”, he declared.
“Niger Delta people cannot continue to be surrounded by oil facilities, polluted by oil operations, and yet be denied the basic benefits of development. If the refinery is working, it will create jobs and revive businesses in the region”.
The protesters accused the NNPCL leadership of abandoning the refinery rehabilitation project despite previous assurances of completion. Placards carried by the youths bore inscriptions such as “Restart Port Harcourt Refinery Now,” “We Need Jobs, Not Excuses”, and “End the Economic Marginalization of Niger Delta”.
According to Lokpobiri, restarting the refinery is a key step in addressing youth unemployment and industrial stagnation in the Niger Delta.
“The Niger Delta deserves more than empty promises. The restart of the refinery will not only provide employment but also reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports”, he stressed.
Spokesman of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum and President-General of the Ogoni Youth Federation, Legborsi Yamaabana, echoed the call, saying the delay has fueled anger and frustration across the region.
“The continuous dormancy of the Port Harcourt refineries is nothing but sabotage against the people of the Niger Delta. We are ready to occupy Abuja until this demand is met”, Yamaabana said.
The protest, which brought activities at the NNPCL headquarters to a standstill, highlighted the refinery’s symbolic importance as both an economic and political touchstone for the Niger Delta.
“We want development, not pollution. We want jobs, not excuses”, the protesters chanted as they vowed to continue their action until their demands are addressed.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that in the early 2025, the leadership of the NNPCL and the presidency celebrated the takeoff of refining activities at the “Port Harcourt Refinery 1“, a feat roundly celebrated by Nigerians.
However, two months after, the refinery broke down again fueling speculation that it never refined any crude oil as celebrated. Nigerians were angry that the management of the NNPCL under Mele Kyari has scammed the country after sinking billions of dollars in the name turn-around maintenance and replacement of Knocked down parts of the refinery.
