The Apex umbrella body for the over 407 ethnic nationalities youth leaders in Nigeria have called for the immediate sack of the General Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the youth leaders accused the Kyari-led NNPCL of sabotaging the smooth take-off of both the government-owned refinery and the Dangote group-owned refinery.

They also accused Kyari of sabotaging the fixing of indigenous refineries to the benefit of the subsidy cartel.

The press statement was jointly addressed by Comrade Terry Obeih, President General, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders/NENYLCW, amongst others.

This stand is coming amid outcry by Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), that International Oil Companies, IOCs, were frustrating the Dangote Refinery’s commencement of fuel supply by selling crude oil at higher prices.

Edwin said the IOCs were intentionally obstructing the refinery’s efforts to purchase local crude by inflating premium prices above market rates, compelling the refinery to import crude from distant countries like the United States, leading to significantly higher costs.

The youth leaders, while describing the situation as unacceptable, said it was strange that all the hopes the citizens placed on the Dangote refinery to bring down the cost of fuel were being frustrated.

According to the group, “We met today, Tuesday, the 25th day of June, 2024 and reviewed the economic situation in the country as it affects the common masses.

“After a thorough analysis of the situation, it is our considered finding that the NNPCL is sabotaging the effort of the government towards making fuel affordable for Nigerians. There is a serious matter considering that Nigeria is operating a mono-economy, and as such whatever happens to fuel price, has a spiral effect.

“We want to start by recalling that earlier in March this year, the NNPCL MD, Mele Kyayi, promised Nigerians that within two weeks, the Port Harcourt refinery would begin production.

“The MD, who gave that assurance during his appearance before the Senate ad-hoc committee that was investigating the Nigerian Refineries’ Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) Projects, went as far as stating that more than 450,000 barrels of oil were stored at the Port Harcourt refinery.”

From Attah Ede Makurdi 

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, on Friday, said he made remarkable achievements in office within the last one year due to the unwavering support extended to him by President Bola Tinubu.

Alia disclosed this during his thank you tour to Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency held in Makurdi the State Capital.

He said all the numerous projects he has executed in the State was made possible by President Tinubu.

The governor noted that both the construction of roads, underpass, payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, remodeling of Assembly Complex, State Secretariat and others were made possible through the efforts of Mr.

He said the President had given him unimaginable support and urged the people of the State to be patient with him as the President has “very good intentions for the citizenry”.

Governor therefore expressed his readiness to renovate and upgrade the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square in Makurdi to international standard, stressing that the facilities at the square is over 30 years old and was constructed during the military era.

He said his administration has constructed 16 township roads within the State and also constructing a underpass in Makurdi and Gboko respectively.

The governor assured that more roads would be awarded for construction within the Constituency in no distance time and announced that going forward payment of salaries and pensions would starts from 22nd of every month.

Earlier, Sen Barnabas Gemade, Chairman Benue APC’s Elder Forum said Gov Alia’s coming was the divine work of God therefore nobody could stop God from fulfilling His wish in the State.

Sen Gemade said the Alia’s administration has employed thousands into the State civil service and was paying regularly, adding that previous governors failed to pay with even smaller number of workforce.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese commended the governor for the numerous infrastructures recorded within the federal constituency.

Dr Ortese assured that all appointees from the Constituency would continue to give their best for the administration to succeed.

Earlier, Terver Gbenda, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Organisation and Illegal Levies said the youths were behind the governor because of his achievements.

Gbenda said come 2027, the youths would still support his reelection.

Mr Benjamin Omakolo, Benue APC acting chairman, who received 4780 persons who defected from other political parties into the APC within the Constituency assured them of equal treatment.

The Nigerian Army on Friday, destroyed about 14 illegal oil bunkering vessels arrested with stolen crude oil in the oil-bearing Asa Community of Abia.

The Army operatives set the vessels ablaze, including eight large Cotonou boats, at Isimmiri Waterside in Ukwa West Local Government Area.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.

Dada, who was accompanied by the  Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brig.-Gen. Olusola Diya, said that the suspects had been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigations and prosecution.

He said that the Army was at the creek in respect of carrying out one of the mandates of Operation Udoka, “which is to make sure that any form of economic sabotage does not happen within its joint operation area.

“We have been here since Thursday, conducting operations against saboteurs that are trying to take out the crude oil that is the mainstay of our economy,” he said.

Dada also said that the operation was based on intelligence report, adding that the suspects had attempted to start siphoning the crude from the pipeline, before they were arrested.

He further said that the suspects had sunk some crude oil-laden boats in the water before the troops got there, adding that, the troops were in the process of recovering others.

The GOC said that all the 14 boats were destroyed, in line with the Standing Operating Procedure.

“The person that is involved in this particular location is on the run presently but we will get him, it’s just a matter of time.

“This is more of a cartel and we believe that a lot of people are actually involved.

“The proceeds are being used to finance these acts of terrorism.

“But as a note of warning, this is just the beginning.

“We will continue with this operation and make sure no stone is left unturned.

“The Nigerian Army will in no way tolerate any form of sabotage to the economy of this country,” Dada said. (NAN)