The Coalition for Change in Nigeria, CCN, has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to immediately address three critical issues affecting the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, convener of the coalition, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s natural resources, urging NNPCL and the Federal Government to come clean on issues bothering the sector especially the reason for the hike in fuel price.
The coalition specifically demanded probe into the expenditures on local refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery.
It also urged the government to fully disclose the financial and contractual details of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK Gas Pipeline Project, stressing that Nigerians need to know how their money is being spent.
“We are here to demand an immediate review and explanation of the factors driving fuel prices upwards. Where is the transparency?
“Why are we still burdened with high fuel prices when the intent of deregulation was to bring stability and fairness to the market?
“We call on the Federal Government to immediately initiate a public inquiry into the expenditures committed to reviving our local refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery.
“For years, Nigerians have been told that billions of naira have been poured into revamping these refineries. Yet, to date, none of them are operating at full capacity.”
According to the coalition, Nigerians deserve to know where their “money has gone”.
“We need to know the figures, and how they are being spent.
“We cannot stand idly by while funds that should be used to reduce our dependence on imported refined products disappear into the abyss of corruption and mismanagement,” the group added.