•Dennis Adikwuru
The oil sector, arguably the most critical to the Nigerian economy, has been enmeshed in controversies in recent times, prompting calls for the Tinubu-led federal government to sanitise it by identifying and eliminating the cabals that have entrapped the industry.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dennis Adikwuru, who spoke to our correspondent on the issue yesterday, said the sector is riddled with corruption, and stated that he would like to see urgent actions taken to redirect the oil and gas industry in the country, reports Sunday Independent.
He said: “In the oil sector, being the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, corruption spans from the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and down to the cartel or the cabals.
“What is witnessed in today’s NNPCL is a tip of the iceberg compared with the presidency where the president himself is self-appointed petroleum minister.
“Are you talking about the allocation of oil wells? Is it crude export?
“Coming to the NNPCL, corruption is seen as legitimised, taking a cue from the Presidency, National Assembly and the rest.
“Are we going to hold NNPCL responsible for the treasury draining through recycled repairs and turn-around maintenance of Nigerian refineries?
“I will not recommend any sack of the NNPCL GMD by an equally corrupt presidency, but rather there should be total cleansing of the entire system.”
Bishop Joseph Ighalo Edoro, a cleric and public affairs commentator, said: “I think with the controversies surrounding the NNPCL with regards to its operations in Nigeria, it would be right to say that the handlers are not doing well.
“The call for the sack of Kolo Kyari is not out of place. Yes, he has served this country and must be appreciated. But for the number of years and his failed promises, he ought to have on his own resigned. But this country is a joke when it comes to that.
“Over the years, Nigeria has been sabotaged through this agency economically. All Kyari talks about is how there is a clandestine attack to see him out of office.
“However, since he has been in office, Nigerians have suffered immensely. So much money has been pumped into the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of our refineries without results. A festival of dates and failures.
“An initial promise of December 2023 failed to be achieved. Another promise was for April. Again it failed.
“The Senate had to probe the sum of $1.5 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2021. To this day, none of the refineries is working, nor producing.
“For Kyari, questions should not be asked. This is a country where avenues of opposition are dismantled. It is an aberration and absurdity for Mele Kolo Kyari to still be in office.
“He ought not to be removed or sacked, but to throw in the towel himself, after all, these monies and failed promises to Nigerians.
“A report in 2020 indicted the NNPCL of violating financial remittance of $2 billion and another N164 billion to the Federation Account.
“The call for the geologist is mainly in connection to failed promises and the suffering of the people. Till date, none of these refineries are working. This job ought to have been completed in 44 months from when funds were released for TAM.”
Professor John Ebhomien, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, in his contribution, stated that the controversies surrounding the oil sector and the mismanagement have been on the front burner for many years.
Ebhomien, a financial expert and former World Bank/ International Monetary Fund economist, said:
“Though successive administrations have tried to revamp the sector with billions of dollars to overhaul the moribund refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, the efforts have not yielded the desired results with no apparent justification.
“It appears from all indicators that the management under the leadership of Mr. Kyari and the cabals in the sector have succeeded in holding the nation on its jugular. This is not a good example of how things should be.
“Mr. Kyari, the GMD of NNPCL, has a case to answer. The controversies in the oil sector have sparked genuine concerns in all ramifications, from payment of subsidies on oil and other financial mismanagement.
“Sincerely speaking, the NNPCL is long overdue for overhaul. My candid advice to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to sack Mr. M. Kyari, the GMD and the top management to bring succour to the oil sector and Nigerians.
“In addition, a high powered investigation team must be set up to examine the activities and controversies in the oil sector and recover all funds stolen.
“Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must, as a matter of national importance, appoint a person(s) of proven integrity, with high sense of responsibility and shining light, as the new Group Managing Director of NNPCL.”
