The House of Representatives has announced its intention to seek the removal of Mele Kyari, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), if what they have characterized as the "effort to undermine Dangote Refinery" does not cease immediately.
Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House, articulated this stance while addressing the press in Abuja on Saturday.
Agbese underscored that the legislators had previously called for the dismissal of the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). He noted that both NNPCL and NMDPRA have demonstrated their inclination to undermine the Dangote Refinery.
While acknowledging that numerous Nigerians have abandoned the proposed hardship protest, Agbese added that they insist on Kyari's removal if it ensures the seamless operation of the country.
He mentioned that the House is poised to investigate the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA, aligning with their commitment to safeguard all national assets and critical economic infrastructure, including the Dangote Refinery.
"We have observed extensive demarketing campaigns intended to discredit the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, causing widespread anxiety in the country. It is on record that the House directed the President to dismiss the CEO of NMDPRA.
The House of Representatives will not hesitate to seek the removal of Mele Kyari if the endeavor to undermine the national asset, the refinery project, persists," Agbese stated.
Recall that Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, previously led a delegation of the House on a visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Lagos.
Abbas highlighted that the visit yielded valuable insights that will inform the House's legislative initiatives and decisions, emphasizing their efforts to cultivate a more business-friendly environment to position Nigeria as an appealing location for both local and international investors.