...as President Tinubu Appoints Fresh Leadership to NNPCL

In a landmark shift for Nigeria’s beleaguered energy sector, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has appointed a new board for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), led by Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari. This significant change follows the recent removal of former Group Managing Director Mele Kyari and his team, who have been accused of mismanagement and inefficiency.

Jude Gbaboyor Akpodubakaye, a prominent figure in the Niger Delta Region, has publicly lauded President Tinubu’s decisive action, emphasizing that the new board is expected to restore the lost glory of Nigeria's energy sector. “Mr. President has carefully selected you, the new board members, because he believes in the capacity that you will bring to boost our crude oil production,” Akpodubakaye stated.

However, the commendation comes with calling for a probe. Akpodubakaye has called for a thorough investigation into Kyari and his former team regarding their handling of billions of dollars allocated to refinery management, often without delivering tangible results. He expressed concern over the detrimental impact of such mismanagement, which has contributed significantly to the hardships endured by Nigerians. Additionally, he highlighted the court cases linked to allegations of human rights abuses against the sacked Mele Kyari.

In a pointed remark, Akpodubakaye urged the new board to distance themselves from Tantita Security Services, a company owned by controversial figure Government Ekpemukpolo, also known as Tompolo. He raised alarming concerns about Tantita, claiming the security company is implicated in various serious criminal offenses, including human trafficking and illegal detention of Nigerians. “Tantita has been dragged to court by victims of their abuses, and they possibly face trials at both the International Criminal Court and other venues for crimes against humanity,” he stated.

Furthermore, Akpodubakaye criticized the previous administration's reliance on Tantita, accusing them of spreading propaganda that misled the public regarding Nigeria's crude oil production capabilities. “While there were claims of achieving a production rate of 2 million barrels per day, our actual output as of February has fallen short at just 1.47 million barrels, below the OPEC quota,” he remarked, drawing attention to the substantial gap between reported and actual production figures.

As Nigeria endeavors to redefine its energy landscape, the newly appointed board faces a daunting task. Addressing corruption and restoring confidence in the sector will be pivotal in ensuring stable and sustainable growth for the nation’s economy. The months ahead will test their resolve and credibility in the face of challenges previously faced by their predecessors.