From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Executive Council and Members of the West African Students’ Union (WASU), has called for the sack of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed over the current challenges in the oil sector in the country.
In a statement issued and signed by Comrade Pillah Romans and made available to newsmen, the group, expressed disappointment with the performance and actions of the NMDPRA boss especially as regards Dangote Refinery.
WASU also called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the CEO of NMDPRA, to desist from frustrating the efforts of the Dangote Refinery in pursuance to getting crude oil internally for smooth production of oil and gas within the country.
“We discovered during our visit to Ibeju-Lekki that Dangote refinery has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We therefore unequivocally call for the immediate sack of Farouk Ahmed. It is now clear that he as the CEO of NMDPRA is responsible for issuing import licenses to his cronies outside the government to continue to import Sub-standards Refined Petroleum Products into the country”, the statement alleged.
WASU further called on the Federal Government and Nigerians to adopt, support and accept Dangote refinery to end fuel importation in the Nigeria.
It equally appreciated the 10th National Assembly, good-spirited individuals and associations who have been rallying support for Aliko Dangote, saying WASU has come to drum supports for Dangote refinery.
The Students’ Union while commending Aliko Dangote for the establishment of the Dangote Refinery, described his visionary disposition as a groundbreaking development that will transform the petroleum industry in Africa and across the globe.
It noted that Dangote Petroleum Refinery is a groundbreaking investment that will meet 100 percent of the country’s refined products needed and boost the revenue earnings of the country.
WASU advocated for economic growth, job creation, industrialisation and prosperity in the sub region especially in the area of development while noting that there can only be end to the crisis in the oil industry when the government and others are ready to support indigenous refinery to thrive.
“This has led to significant disruptions in the supply chain, scarcity, and loss of precious income. Today, the country is indeed rising from slumber to take its rightful place in the West Africa sub-region.
“The value chain in this gigantic refinery is a long stretch that has hundreds of thousands as beneficiaries in both direct and indirect job creation. We hope that the beginning of operations of Dangote refinery will also reduce the high price of petroleum products in the country and elsewhere”, the statement said.
