President Bola Tinubu’s transformative initiatives in the oil and gas sector have received a robust endorsement from 120 National Assembly members.
In a statement released on Friday, the House of Representatives expressed their unwavering support for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) and its strategies designed to revitalize Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Titled “NNPCL: A Call For Caution,” the statement highlighted the pivotal role of NNPCL in enhancing the country’s energy prospects.
Prominent lawmakers backing the reforms include Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, Hon. Martins Esin, Hon. Leko Jafaru Gambo, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Hon. Abdullahi M. Gwarzo, Hon. Danladi S. Aguye, Hon. Afuape Afolabi Moruf, and Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya. Additionally, Hon. Olaide L.M, Hon. Offiono Godwin, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, Hon. Odimayo Okunjimi, Hon. Muhammad Isa Anka, Hon. Clement Jimbo, Hon. Yakubu A. Danmailiki, Hon. Oshun Moshood O, and Hon. Fayinka Oluwatoyin are also part of this supportive coalition.
Operating under the collective “1 Agenda,” these lawmakers distanced themselves from a recent article that called for the resignation of NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and Ahmed Farouk, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
They clarified that such calls for resignation represent personal views and do not reflect the official position of the House of Representatives.
The “1 Agenda” group emphasized the necessity of fair hearings and due process, noting that the House has set up a committee to investigate the NNPCL’s operations. They argued that any resignation requests at this juncture are hasty and unwarranted.
The statement declared: “We wish to clarify that this statement is a personal opinion and does not represent the House of Representatives. As members of ‘1 AGENDA,’ we affirm: The GCEO deserves a fair hearing, and the House has duly constituted a committee to scrutinize the NNPCL’s activities.
“This is not only just but also a constitutional right. Therefore, calls for resignation at this point are both unnecessary and premature. However, we encourage the NNPCL to undertake initiatives that will enhance its performance and ensure the country achieves self-sufficiency in oil and gas production.”
They urged the public to dismiss the earlier publication and to rally behind President Tinubu’s efforts to reform the oil and gas sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.
