By Francis Sadhere, Warri
South South Reawakening Group (SSRG) on Thursday tasked the newly appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, to tackle the issue of Subsidy on petroleum products.
Converner of the group Mr Joseph Ambakederimo, in a statement made available to National Reformer in Warri noted that over the years the issue of fuel subsidy has not been properly managed with its cloud of many unanswered questions.
The group commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mr. Kyari as the new GMD of NNPC, describing Kyari’ as “a round peg in a round hole.
The group stated that the appointment of Kyari was a clear indication that the future of Buhari’s second tenure would look bright.
While applauding President Buhari for his foresight in picking Kyari as the new GMD of NNPC, the group said it “hoped to see an appreciable level of transperancy in the Operations of the NNPC henceforth.”
The statement reads in parts, “However it is said that to whom much is given so much is expected, with this maxim we urge the new GMD to live up to the expectation of Nigerians and the President for giving him the opportunity to once again showcase his skills that he brought to bear in the transformation of the Crude oil marketing department.
“His output in the crude oil marketing department was extraordinary. He brought an age long experience to bear and turn around the crude oil marketing division.
“The crude oil marketing division was made possible by Mr Mele kyari who embraced modern technology and transparency.
“We believe the same strategy would be employed to reposition the NNPC and it’s subsidiaries to the path of profit making like it’s counterparts in other countries.”
The group also urged the new NNPC GMD to tackle the issue of unmitigated adulteration of petroleum products and fuel fraud that have cost government humoungeous loose of revenue.
“The NNPC must devise ways to frustrate the activities of fraudsters.The GMD must ensure to apply the most up-to-date technology for the protection of it’s supply chain and, therefore, it’s fuel quality and integrity. This way there will be a level of assurance that Nigerians are buying a product they can trust.
“We therefore urge Mr Mele to recognise that his appointment is coming at a critical time in the volatile global oil industry and the Nigerian economy in particular including bringing of some level of openness in the Operations of the nnpc.
“The NNPC’s Operations have largely remain opaque for a very long time, but with the coming of Mr Mele Kyari, we hope to see an appreciable level of transperancy in the Operations of the NNPC henceforth,” the group stated further.
Until his appointment, Mr Kyari was the former Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
