The House of Representatives has issued a stern warning, indicating they will demand the dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), if perceived efforts to undermine the Dangote Refinery do not cease immediately.
This declaration was made by the deputy spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday. Agbese highlighted that the lawmakers have already recommended the removal of the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Agbese expressed concern that both NNPCL and NMDPRA seem intent on jeopardizing the operations of the Dangote Refinery. He noted that while many Nigerians have abandoned plans for hardship protests, there remains a strong demand for Kyari’s dismissal if it ensures the refinery’s smooth operation.
The House has committed to investigating the ongoing conflict between the Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA, in line with their dedication to safeguarding national assets and critical economic infrastructure.
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“We have observed numerous demarketing campaigns aimed at discrediting the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, causing widespread panic in the country,” Agbese said. “The House previously directed the President to remove NMDPRA’s CEO. We will not hesitate to call for the dismissal of Mele Kyari if these destructive attempts against the refinery project, a vital national asset, continue.”
This follows a recent visit by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who led a delegation to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Lagos. Abbas emphasized that the visit provided essential insights to inform the House’s legislative actions and decisions, aimed at fostering a more business-friendly environment to attract both local and international investors to Nigeria.