The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has called for the immediate dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL and the Minister of State, Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, following the recent increase in the pump price of petrol.
IYC President, Dr Theophilus Alaye, in a statement issued on Sunday, stressed that Lokpobiri and Kyari have failed in their responsibilities to ensure transparency and accountability in the oil sector.
He opined that their inability to effectively manage the nation’s oil resources had led to crippling hardship, including high fuel prices, scarcity of petroleum products, and a strain on the national economy.
Alaye said their continuous stay in office is a disservice to the nation.
IYC, therefore, warned that failure to act swiftly might lead to further unrest in the region, as its members would be embarking on a Niger Delta protest for 14 days after due consultation with Pa Edwin Clark and other stakeholders who have the interest of the Ijaw man at heart.
Alaye accused the minister and Kyari of sidelining the oil-producing communities, particularly the Ijaw nation, in decisions that directly affect their welfare.
He noted that the Niger Delta, despite being the hub of Nigeria’s oil wealth, continues to suffer from environmental degradation, unemployment, and poor infrastructure due to the neglect by those in power.
Alaye added: “The mismanagement and political manoeuvring within the oil sector are evident. The decisions made by these key figures are not in the best interest of the people but rather serve political interests that further marginalise the already struggling regions, especially the Niger Delta, which bears the brunt of oil exploration.
“Their continuous stay in office is a disservice to the nation. We demand that the President take decisive action by removing these individuals from their positions to restore confidence in the oil sector and alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
“The call for their dismissal comes at a time when the nation is grappling with an economic downturn, exacerbated by global oil price fluctuations, mismanagement, and allegations of corruption within the sector.”