A civil society organization, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiatives (TADI), has called for the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), along with the entire leadership team.
In a statement signed by Adeniran Taiwo, TADI’s Programs, Research, and Public Relations Officer, the group accused Kyari of gross mismanagement, systemic corruption, and overseeing a catastrophic tenure that has resulted in persistent fuel shortages and a rising national debt burden.
TADI criticized Kyari’s leadership for accumulating $6.8 billion in debt to petrol suppliers while failing to alleviate the country’s ongoing fuel crisis.
The group’s statement signed by Adeniran Taiwo, Programs, Research, and Public Relations Officer stated, “The time for deception is over – Nigerians demand accountability and real leadership now.
“This is the clarion call of all Nigerians struggling every day, who are enduring unbearable levels of hardship.
“From the skyrocketing cost of fuel to the unrelenting inflation that has made even the basics of life unaffordable – citizens are suffering! Households and businesses alike are stretched to their limits, and the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of this mismanagement in NNPCL.
“The fuel crisis has drained the nation’s resources and eroded public confidence in the ability of the government to alleviate the hardship. How can citizens hold firmly to the hopes anchored in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda?
“Under Mele Kyari’s watch, NNPCL has amassed a staggering $6.8 billion in debt to petrol suppliers, yet Nigerians still face relentless fuel shortages and inflated pump prices.
“This financial recklessness has betrayed the trust of the Nigerian people, who are left wondering how such massive debts could yield so little improvement in fuel supply.
“The hardship endured by Nigerians in their daily struggle for affordable fuel is nothing short of a national disgrace. Kyari’s continued presence as NNPCL Chairman is a slap in the face to citizens who are bearing the brunt of his incompetence.
“The corruption and financial mismanagement under Kyari’s leadership are beyond excusable. Billions of dollars allocated to rehabilitate Nigeria’s refineries have disappeared into the void, with no operational refineries to show for it.
“Time and again, Kyari has made grand promises about refinery rehabilitation, only to shift deadlines and offer excuses. In March 2021, he assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery would be fully operational by Q2 of 2023.
“The situation is even more outrageous when considering the billions lost to a leadership incapable of delivering on the most basic expectations.
“Nigerians continue to suffer from outrageous fuel prices and worsening inflation, all while Kyari’s administration has failed to restart any of the country’s refineries.
“Despite repeated promises of improvement, Kyari has proven that he is incapable of resolving the very issues that NNPCL exists to address.
“He has failed in his responsibility to provide transparent and effective leadership, and the consequences of his incompetence are being felt by every Nigerian struggling to cope with rising living costs and fuel shortages.
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“As the public’s hopes were pinned on the Dangote Refinery to ease the fuel supply crisis, even this venture has failed to live up to Kyari’s promises.
“The longer Kyari and his team remain in power, the deeper the economic crisis grows, and the more Nigerians suffer.
“We hereby demand the immediate removal of Mele Kyari and all directors at NNPCL who have contributed to the ongoing fuel crisis, financial mismanagement, and corruption.
“We demand a full public audit of all refinery rehabilitation funds, a transparent investigation into the misuse of billions allocated for critical infrastructure, and the appointment of a new leadership team that will prioritize competence, transparency, and the delivery of real solutions for Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Mele Kyari has had ample time and opportunity to prove his capability— and he has failed spectacularly.
“From 17th to 18th October, we shall occupy NNPCL towers for two days, cook, eat and sleep there, until the leadership of the NNPC is removed by Mr President,” the group concluded.
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