CSO tackles NNPCL over fuel price hike

The Coalition for Energy Reforms and Good Governance Advocacy has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of mischief. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group’s convener, Yakubu Dauda, said that unnecessary charges have been built into the cost of fuel. Dauda said failure to prioritize investments in local refineries and its […]

The Coalition for Energy Reforms and Good Governance Advocacy has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of mischief.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group’s convener, Yakubu Dauda, said that unnecessary charges have been built into the cost of fuel.

Dauda said failure to prioritize investments in local refineries and its reliance on imported fuel products have been attributed to vested interests.

“The company has failed to address the fundamental issues within the Nigerian petroleum sector,” said Dauda.

“Instead of developing and maintaining local refineries to meet domestic demand, the NNPCL appears more interested in maintaining a system of dependency on imported fuel products.”

The coalition called on the government to conduct a comprehensive audit of the NNPCL’s operations, focusing on allegations of corruption and unnecessary charges. It also urged the government to invest in local refineries and end the reliance on imported fuel.

Dauda believes that transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products would bring tremendous economic benefits, including job creation, reduced cost of living, and revenue generation for critical sectors.

The coalition urged Nigerians to demand transparency, accountability, and good governance in the energy sector, stating that the hardship faced by Nigerians is unnecessary and that it is time for the NNPCL and its leadership to be held accountable.

Dauda added: ”Evidently, NNPCL has failed to deliver on its promises to improve the Nigerian petroleum sector. Instead of addressing the core challenges, his administration has exacerbated the problems through a combination of poor policy choices, corruption, and inefficiency. The failure to revive local refineries is perhaps the most glaring example of this incompetence.

”Nevertheless, we believe that there is still hope for Nigeria’s energy sector, but only if swift and decisive action is taken.”