JUST IN: Protest rocks Abuja over fuel scarcity
On Monday, a large group of protesters took to the streets of Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, due to ongoing fuel shortages affecting the country.
The demonstration followed NNPCL’s admission that its significant debt to suppliers is jeopardizing the stability of fuel supplies. The corporation acknowledged that financial pressures are straining its operations and threatening the continuity of fuel distribution.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana expressed concerns over the rising cost of living, arbitrary increases in petrol prices, and the resulting scarcity, which has led to fewer vehicles on Nigerian roads. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana called for the exposure of what he termed the ‘monumental fraud’ in Nigeria’s fuel importation sector.
Protesters chanted slogans and carried banners reading ‘We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not working,’ ‘No direction under Kyari,’ and ‘We want accountability in the affairs of NNPCL.’ They criticized Kyari’s tenure, citing a record of poor performance and unanswered questions.
At Unity Fountain, after the rally, Aminu Abbas, Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, questioned why Nigeria, despite its oil wealth, continues to experience severe petrol shortages.
He said, “To President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and all those in positions of power, we say the time to act is now. Show us that you stand with the people, not those who profit from our misery. Mr Kyari must be shown the way out, and the NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced.
“The fuel scarcity we endure today is not just a mere inconvenience; it is a calculated perpetuation of suffering. Under Mr Kyari’s leadership, the situation has gone from bad to worse, with no end in sight. What has he done to alleviate this crisis? It is clear he seems intent on maintaining a status quo that benefits only a select few while the masses suffer.
“Why do we, the people, have to endure endless queues, inflated prices, and the daily uncertainty of whether we can fuel our vehicles or power our homes? The answer lies in the gross incompetence and mismanagement that have become the hallmarks of Mr. Kyari’s leadership.”
Post Comment