From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, a civil society organisation, has rejected petitions accusing Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), of corruption. The group praised Kyari’s leadership, noting significant achievements during his tenure.
The organisation disowned a group claiming to be its members, which recently demanded a probe into Kyari’s actions. Comrade Emeka Uwazurike, the group’s Director of Operations, told journalists in Abuja that Kyari ensured greater transparency at NNPCL.
Uwazurike said, “Even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be shocked at the outburst of this faceless group against Kyari, who, while dissolving the board NNPCL led by him, noted the startling achievements of the board.”
“Under his leadership, long-stalled production activities at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have roared back to life… with the Kaduna Refinery beckoning. This audacious manoeuvre has put a lie to the long-held belief that the refineries would never come back to life.
“This move would surely engender energy security and ensure that Nigeria’s refining capacity could finally begin to meet domestic demand with much more for exports sooner rather than later.”
He added: “Kyari, recognising that public refineries alone cannot meet the nation’s needs, reportedly came up with strong collaborations with private refineries. The climax of this effort was the integration of the Dangote Refinery – a strategic partnership (this started with a direct investment in Dangote Refinery) that not only expanded Nigeria’s refining capabilities but also introduced healthy competition into a previously monopolised industry.
“Kyari’s forward-thinking approach has set the stage for a more dynamic and self-reliant energy sector. While some may wish to attribute some of NNPC’s challenges and failures to him, the discerning would rather give him his flowers for his ability to achieve results despite the torturous and oppressive terrain.”