Group Demands Sack Of Mele Kyari, Probe Of Allegations Of Monumental Corruption Entrenched In NNPCL Under His Leadership

 

The Mega National Movement For Good Governance (MNMGG) has demanded the immediate sack of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)  

The group, which consists of a coalition of 19 youth groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society organisations (CSOs), equally demanded the probe of allegations of monumental corruption entrenched in NNPCL under his leadership. 

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the Spokesperson of the Spokesperson Mega National Movement, Ibrahim Tijani, said the group is deeply concerned about the instability of the prices of petroleum products, resulting from the somersault in policies. 

Listing the sins of the NNPCL’s GCEO, the group said there was lack of due process in the appointment of Engr Mele Kyari, accusing him of failure to remit revenues to the Federation Account, and inconsistency. 

The movement said, they are also saddened by the sudden scarcity of fuel in particularly the Federal Capital and other major cities and towns that was fueled by the intention of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) to hike fuel prices within the week. 

“We are worried also by the mounting allegations of fraud, embezzlement, and corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) since the appointment of Engr Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer. 

“As a coalition of patriotic groups, we have identified allegations of significant

irregularities within the NNPCL, including fuel subsidy scams, under-remittance of oil

sales revenue, corruption, shady pipeline surveillance contracts, and oil theft. 

“These issues have had a collective detrimental effect on the majority of Nigerians, while benefiting only a few greedy individuals, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and fraudulent accounting practices. These actions not only undermine the company's financial stability but also have far-reaching consequences for stakeholders and the overall economy.

“Among the numerous cases of financial impropriety against Kyari is the deduction of N2.1 trillion from the monthly revenue of NNPC, which was not remitted to the Federation Account. 

“Additionally, Kyari is believed to be responsible for the supply of adulterated or bad fuel that entered the country in 2022, causing damage to many vehicle engines and generators. 

“These allegations of massive corruption and fraudulent diversion of billions of dollars to personal and cronies' accounts must be thoroughly investigated, and Kyari should be prosecuted if found guilty”, the coalition lamented. 

On lack of due process and transparency in Kyari’s appointment, the movement said, “We would like to highlight that the appointment of Engr. Mele Kyari as GCEO of

NNPCL did not follow due process as enshrined in the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). 

“Considering that NNPCLrecently transitioned to a private company in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIAAct, 2021), it is no longer allowed to have recourse to state funds. 

“Its shares and assets, including oil blocks and refineries, are now held by the Ministries of Petroleum and Finance. 

“However, NNPCL has failed to operate as a Joint Production Venture (JPV) with Western Oil Majors (WOM), as required by law. 

“Furthermore, the NNPCL has not been transparent in publishing it's crude contracts and statements of accounts under Engr. Mele Kyari's leadership”, the group alleged. 

Picking holes in NNPCL’s remittances to the Federation Account, the group recalled that “In 2022, Kyari and the NNPC management failed to remit any funds to the Federation Account for seven consecutive months. 

“Despite Nigeria recording N16 trillion in oil sales during that year, the NNPC did not make any remittances. This lack offinancial responsibility is unacceptable and raises serious questions about the management of the company's revenues. 

“Kyari must explain how these funds were spent and provide transparency (sic) regarding the companies that received

subsidy payments”, the Coalition demanded. 

Insisting on the restoration of transparency and accountability in NNPCL, the group stated that “As concerned and patriotic citizens, we believe that the government should be interested in knowing the true nature of NNPCL's oil production contracts and remittances to the Federation

Account, as well as the transparency of pipeline surveillance contracts awarded by the NNPCL in line with global best practices. 

“We had expected the President Tinubu administration to insist on the implementation of the PIA or the PIB Act, not only to sack and probe Engr. Mele Kyari but also other key figures in the NNPCL, such as the Executive Vice President (Upstream), Adokiye Tombomieye, Managing Director Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Ali Muhammad Zahra, and the Director National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NPIMS), Bala Wunti. 

“This comprehensive action is necessary to clcan up the corruption and decay within the

NNPCL”, the group observed. 

Frowning at inconsistencies in Governnent actions, the movement noted that “It is unfortunate that Engr. Mele Kyari, who allegedly shortchanged every Nigerian through under-remittance to the Federation has been allowed to remain in charge of the NNPCL, while heads of other important denartments and EFCC, have been sacked, arrested, and probed. This raises the question of why the case of the NNPCL led by Engr. Mele Kyari is being treated differently. 

“If the government is genuinely committed to fighting financial malfeasance, oil theft, dubious pipeline surveillance contracts, fuel subsidy scams, under-remittance to the Federation Account, abnormalities, and lack of transparency in the NNPCL, then Engr. Mele Kyari should not be allowed to continue in his position. 

Demanding for the removal of Kyari, the Coalition said that “It is evident to most Nigerians that there has been no significant increase in oil production and remittance to the Federation Account since Engr. Mele Kyari assumed the position of GCEO of the NNPCL.  

“Therefore, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take action and fire and probe

Engr. Mele Kyari. 

“This is crucial for the transparency, accountability, and development of the Nigerian petroleum industry. 

“Given the numerous allegations of financial improprieties and the lack of accountability within the NNPC under Kyari's leadership, it is imperative that he be removed from his position. 

“The Federal Government must take immediate action to address these issues and ensure that those responsible for corruption and embezzlement are held accountable. 

The Nigerian people deserve transparency, accountability, and a leadership that prioritizes the country's economic stability and the well-being of its citizens. 

“It is crucial to address these allegations, conduct a thorough investigation, and prosecute those responsible for corruption and fraudulent practices. 

“Restoring transparency, accountability, and financial stability within the NNPC is essential for the well-being of the Nigerian economy and its citizens”, the group said.