Dangote, NNPC Controversy: Civic Groups Demand Suspension Of NMDPRA CEO, Ahmed Pending Ongoing Probe
The Coalition asserted that the NMDPRA CEO ought to be suspended to allow for unbiased probe into the allegations against the regulatory body over the controversy between NNPCL and Aliko Dangote, and all the identified NNPC officials involved in the corruption cycle.
The Coalition of Northern Youth for Good Governance and other civil societies have called for the suspension of the CEO Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dr. Farouk Ahmed, pending the outcome of the ongoing probe by the government.
The Coalition asserted that the NMDPRA CEO ought to be suspended to allow for unbiased probe into the allegations against the regulatory body over the controversy between NNPCL and Aliko Dangote, and all the identified NNPC officials involved in the corruption cycle.
This was made known in a press conference in Kaduna State on Thursday, addressed by Jabir Aminu Maiturare of Coalition of Northern Youth for Good Governance, Abdulmalik Zakari; Zero Tolerance for Corruption Association (ZTCA), Ahmed Ayo Ibrahim of Concerned Youths of Nigeria (CYN); Isaac Abioye of Arewa Youth for Liberty (AYFL) and Mukhtar Umar Adamu of Northern Youth Advocacy for Good Governance (NYAGG).
“We urge the President to suspend the NMDPRA CEO pending a probe into the allegations against the regulatory body.
“To salvage the image, reputation, and integrity of the country, all identified NNPC officials involved in this corruption must be punished. Any NNPC official who owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or elsewhere should be brought to book.
“The government and private security outfits contracted to secure the waterways must intensify their activities to end crude oil theft.
“Nigerians are caught between confusion and anger at NNPC officials for allowing Dangote Refinery to suffer under-production.
“We support President Bola Tinubu’s fight against corruption, which has stunted the nation’s economic development. Relevant anti-graft agencies, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, and the NIA must urgently act and bring all those involved in these dirty deals to book.
“Let us overcome our myopia and other maladies that afflict us, and build a better Nigeria for ourselves and future generations. We urge the President to assure Aliko Dangote that his refinery will not fail and to encourage and protect both local and global investors”, it stated.
On his part, the Jabir Aminu Maiturare led Coalition of Northern Youth for Good Governance noted with utmost dismay, that people’s anticipated expectations surrounding the Dangote refinery had been undermined by the regulatory body.
“We all witnessed the official commissioning of the refinery where eminent leaders in government and the energy industry outlined a roadmap for the robust opportunities the Dangote refinery represents in driving Nigeria’s economic growth,” he added.
