Civil Society Groups Protest at National Assembly, Urge NNPCL to Reverse Fuel Importation Decision
A coalition of non-governmental organizations, under the Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NICOCSO), gathered at the National Assembly on Thursday, demanding that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) rescind its plan to import over 1.6 billion liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
Leading the protest, spokesperson Kennedy Tabuko criticized the NNPCL’s decision, calling it a significant policy error that could undermine the nation’s local refining capacity. Tabuko warned that the move would not only harm Nigeria’s economy but also exacerbate the struggles of ordinary citizens. He pointed out that a weaker naira could lead to higher inflation, making essential goods and services even more expensive for Nigerians.
“This decision to import fuel contradicts the goal of achieving energy independence and redirects funds that could be better spent on developing local refineries,” Tabuko stated.
The coalition vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the importation decision, stressing that such actions should not go unchecked. “The importation of 1.6 billion liters of PMS by NNPCL is an affront to our nation’s development,” Tabuko added. “It sets back our journey towards energy independence and places undue strain on the Nigerian people.”
With placards in hand, protestors expressed disappointment over the ongoing failure to revamp the country’s refineries, despite assurances of functional refineries for years. Tabuko highlighted that over $20 billion has been invested since 2007 to repair the refineries, yet they remain non-operational.
“Rather than focusing on local refining, NNPCL continues to promote fuel imports, which stifles local investment, economic growth, and job creation,” he remarked. The coalition also called for transparency regarding the $20 billion allocated for refinery repairs and demanded a clear timeline for the refineries’ operations.
NICOCSO emphasized that NNPCL must abandon its monopolistic policies in favor of creating a competitive environment that encourages local refining and attracts private investment. The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene immediately, halting the fuel importation and investigating the procurement process to ensure transparency and accountability.
The coalition also demanded the removal of NNPCL leaders who, in their view, were responsible for these damaging decisions. Should their demands go unaddressed, NICOCSO threatened to escalate protests nationwide. “The first leg of our nationwide rallies will begin on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in Abuja, with subsequent rallies in other states starting November 22,” Tabuko announced.
While expressing confidence in the National Assembly’s ability to probe the oil and gas sector, NICOCSO’s spokesperson questioned the committee’s effectiveness due to political interference. He called for a more inclusive, broad-based probe involving civil society organizations, labor unions, the private sector, and community leaders.
“We need a thorough investigation of the sector, not another ineffective committee,” Tabuko said. “The Federal Government, under President Tinubu, must establish a special committee to ensure accountability in the refinery sector. The National Assembly’s current probe has shown little progress and lacks the capacity to get to the root of the issue.”
NICOCSO’s call for action comes amid growing frustrations with the government’s handling of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and the persistent failure to deliver on promises of energy independence.
