S’East youths urge Tinubu to sack oil regulatory agency boss, Ahmed over alleged oil supply sabotage, Anti-Dangote posture

By Udodirm Oti , Awka

The South-East youths have protested the against the crisis in the midstream and down stream sector in the oil industry, linking it severe hardship and exacerbating the already high cost of living in the country.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, Anambra State , yesterday, the National Coordinator of South-East Youth Vanguard for Good Governance (SEYVGG), Comrade Chuks Favour Obele called on President Bola Ahmed to take urgent action in their
demand for the immediate sack of the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency claimed that the ongoing fuel scarcity across several states in Nigeria continues to worsen the plight of the common man.

Obele who spoke in company of the group’s National Secretary-general, Comrade Alikwekwe Udochukwu and National Coordinator of Greater Anambra Initiative, Chukwuneke Desmond and Founder of Stand Up For Whom You Are Organization, Mrs Daniella Chiamaka Okafor said the challenges in the oil sector have persisted for decades expecting that the removal of fuel subsidy by President Boka Tinubu will address the perennial crisis.

He observed that the plight being expressed by the youths is shared by entire Nigerians, particularly the unemployed, under-employed and suffering people of the country.

According to him, the “open sabotage of local oil production in Nigeria by Ahmed must not go unpunished.

” Dealing with the malaise of corruption in the oil and gas sector may appear complex and intractable when the management lacks transparency and accountability in managing the affairs of all oil business activities in Nigeria (from seismic survey, development, production, transportation, refining, marketing, etc).

“No wonder, recent revelation shows that there is an abuse of administrative office in exchange for approval covering a wide range of commercial and operational activities,” leading to massive amounts of money through diversion of production; products, or revenues and stunted economic growth of the country, and for the mass poverty that reigns
in the country.

“It is therefore suggested that Farouk Ahmed and all culprits in any form in the midstream and downstream petroleum regulation authority should
immediately be investigated, ,dismissed and, if found guilty imprisoned as this will serve as deterrent to others and the issue of ‘Plea Bargain’ should not be allowed or permitted in any form. “.

Obele condemned “the criminal and immoral audacity with which Ahmed attacked the globally-celebrated efforts of Dangote Group in building one of the best refineries in the world and purveyor of an era of local production.

He said the top government official “saw the compelling need and therefore shamefully took it upon himself to de-market the products
of Dangote Refinery.”

According to him, the youths are for once united
against an oil boss adding, “our demand is that he must be investigated and dismissed,if not, the proposed national protests which some of us have been working so hard to stop may actually start
from there.”

He noted,: “We cannot be a country in which an open evil will triumph over good. What no one ever imagined was that the Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) would become the practical leader and face of this group.

“Nigerians must act decisively to dismantle this influence or risk remaining subjugate indefinitely. We are leading this struggle on behalf of the South-East Youths, who are the most directly endangered by this sinister enterprise.”

Obele pointed out that NMDPRA under Ahmed has demonstrated its disdain for the establishment of local oil production. In doing so,it has overstepped its regulatory bounds, going as far as to undermine the products of our own indigenous Dangote Refinery.

He disclosed that it is tantamount to a blatant act of national economic sabotage that must be defeated, contending that “this is why his immediate dismissal and investigation has become inevitable, even as he called on the President to take urgent action now. Obele posited that, “while addressing the negative mpact of certain individuals and cartels, it is
crucial to also highlight and celebrate the positive contributions that indigenous transformative projects can bring to our nation.

“The Dangote Group, under the visionary leadership of Aliko Dangote, has continually set benchmarks for economic and industrial growth in Nigeria and Africa. With diversified interests spanning cement, sugar, salt, and pasta production, the Group has
significantly contributed to job creation, infrastructure development ,and national revenue generation.”

Among its most ambitious projects, according to him, is the Dangote Refinery, which stands as an embodiment of hope for Nigeria’s energy sector and economic sovereignty and Self-Sufficiency and poised to transform Nigeria from a net importer to a
net exporter of refined petroleum products, thereby drastically reducing the nation’s dependency on imported fuels and saving billions of dollars annually in foreign exchange.

“By harnessing local crude oil resources, the refinery will ensure a stable and self-sufficient energy supply,” he noted it will strengthen national security and economic resilience.

He pointed out that the construction and operation of the Dangote Refinery have already created
thousands of jobs for Nigerian engineers, technicians, and labourers and when fully operational, it will generate even more employment
opportunities, both directly and indirectly, across the entire value chain and uplift communities and enhance the overall standard of living.

Obele asserted that the Dangote Group and its subsidiaries, including the Refinery have the capacity to.impact positively on economic diversification and industrial growth, while supporting the growth of various industries, including petro-chemicals, plastics, textiles and manufacturing.

“This diversification will reduce the economy’s vulnerability to oil price shocks and create a more
balanced and resilient economic structure.”.

Going further, he noted that the success of the Dangote Refinery is a demonstration of
Nigeria’s potential as a viable investment destination, adding that it will inspire confidence
among foreign investors and multinationals, attracting additional foreign direct
investments into the country.

“This influx of capital will spur further economic
development ,modernize infrastructure, and improve the overall investment
climate.”

Obele revealed that, by refining petroleum products locally also, Dangote’s bold move will ensure that the country can ensure a more reliable and secured energy supply, reducing the risks associated with global supply chain disruptions, given its
state-of-the-art technology designed to meet stringent environmental standards, minimizing demissions and contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy sector.