By NAN

The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Group, an NGO has called on Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to stop blaming the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation Limited (NNPCL) for the difficulties faced in his refinery business in the country.

The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Group, Yahaya Salisu, who made the call in a press conference in Abuja on Thursday,.

According to him, they are shocked and equally dispute the allegations by Dangote that some Cabals in the oil industry are frustrating the supply of crude oil to his refinery as well as some NNPCL staff and marketers have blending plant somewhere off Malta, hence, his refinery travails.

He said that Nigerians should know and understand that Dangote’s recent outbursts on the Government and NNPCL is only driven by hatred, sentiments, clouded by emotions and the desire to make more.

However, he also commended Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPCL), for his support and promoter of local and private refineries to meet demands of Nigerians and improving the quality of life.

Besides, he applauded President Tinubu’s commitment in reviving and supporting the private sector for rapid economic growth to make life better for Nigerians according to the renewed hope agenda.

He said the numerous successes achieved by NNPCL under Mele Kyari, which include ramping up a plan to repair the refineries in the oil and gas sector, the Group has anonymously passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Management and staff of NNPCL under the leadership of Kyari.

“Gentlemen of the Press, fellow Nigerians, we adderess you today over a very crucial matter that centres around Nigeria’s economic mainstay and it’s impact on the citizens of this country, which is the challenges of crude oil supply and Dangote’s refinery.

“However, we are displeased and disgusted with the way and manner Dangote handled the above subject matter. We were shocked and equally dispute the allegations by him that some Cabals in the industry are frustrating the supply of crude oil to his refinery as well as some NNPCL people and marketers having blending plant somewhere off Malta, hence, his refinery travails.

“Nigerians should know and understand that Dangote’s recent outbursts on the Government and NNPCL is only driven by hatred, sentiments, clouded by emotions and the desire to make more.

“Thesame Dangote who claimed to be working  for Nigerians and not himself, refused to buy crude oil from Angola in Africa and went to Brazil to import a substandard product for Nigerians and the whole of Africa to consume.

“This despite the fact that OPEC ratings and other findings have it that aside Nigeria, Angola has one of the best crude in Africa, why must he fly all the way to brazil, if not to maximise profit at the detriment of innocent Nigerians.

“To prove that the present administration has nothing against Dangote and his refinery, a directive has been issued for Dangote to receive crude supply in Naira equivalent, a demonstration of good faith, magnanimity and bussiness friendly nature of this administration.

“It further shows president Tinubu’s commitment to reviving and supporting private bussiness to boost all sectors for rapid economic growth to make life better for Nigerians according to the renewed hope agenda.

“It is on this note and driven by concern that we unequivocally state that the NNPCL belongs to over two hundred million Nigerians and is committed to serving and ensuring adequate supply of the best product to Nigerians at affordable price irrespective of any intrests or alterior motives.

“Consequently, the demand by Dangote refinery that importation should be discontinued especially of AGO & DPK and forcing all marketers to his refinery was met with resistance for fear of energy security, quality of the supplied product, market monopoly, his pricing template and also to avoid a repeat of the case against BUA in the cement business.

“While we admonish Alhaji Aliko Dangote to stop blaming the NNPCL for his supply difficulties, desist from making unguarded utterances, capable of damaging the image and reputation of the NNPCL and even the country.

“it is also paramount to remind him that playing blame games, making allegations and insinuations are not the solution to his crude oil supply problem, but a collaborative effort with the NNPCL and other relevent Government agencies in the oil and gas sector.

“Fortunately, the hardworking gentleman heading the NNPCL is strongly committed to and has thus prioritised local refining since his coming on board as the GMD and now GCEO.

“Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari has always been an advocate, a supporter and promoter of the successes of private refineries, Dangote’s refinery inclusive, to meet the demands of Nigerians, for the purpose of improving the quality of life. It was Kyari who as GMD of NNPC pushed for NNPC’S investment in Dangote Refinery in 2021 even though it was faced with financial challenges.

“In line with the above and the numerous  successes achieved by NNPCL under Mele Kyari, which include ramping up a plan to repair the four refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna that will soon be up and running and many more across the oil and gas sector, which are well documented for all to verify, we pass a resounding vote of confidence on the Management and staff of NNPCL under the leadership of Mele Kolo Kyari,” he said. (NAN)

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