Ex-Militants Group Knocks  Leader for Calling for  Sack of NNPCL Boss

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Ex-militants leaders under the banner of 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has condemned in strong terms, what they described as “malicious and shameful” press statement that called for the sack of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari, by an Ex-militant Leader, Mr. Sobomabo Jackrich (aka Egberipapa).

The ex-militants leader who frowned at the statement said that the NNPCL boss deserved decoration for his performance within the short period he has spent at the helms of affairs in the company.

A statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr. Izon Ebi, said that they expected traders of bad news like Egberipapa to advocate for competent Niger Delta sons and daughters in this government rather than portraying the region in a bad light.

The 21st CYNDAC described Kyari as a trailblazer and a perfect gentleman following his wonderful performance within the short period
of time in charge of the NNPCL.

It said: “Kyari is a God sent to the NNPCL whose appointment and performance have been evaluated by top analysts to be one of the wisest decision made by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“His records speak for him. Prominent among this achievement are; the genuine award of pipeline security contract to Mr. Government Ekpemupolo and his TANTITA pipeline surveillance outfit which has ended crude oil stealing and uncover countless culprits.

“Successful eradication of artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta, which has drastically reduced pollution and given live back to our wide life.

“He averted so much bloodshed that was common in the Niger Delta, which was brought about by gangs that recruit and armed youths for their criminality and other selfish gratifications.

“He has returned Nigeria to the number one oil producing country in Africa. This giant leap has translated to huge financial gain for our country from just N287 billion oil profits in 2020 to N674 billion in 2021.

“He has attracted so many local and foreign investors into our oil and gas sector. He is simply the goose that laid the golden eggs in the NNPCL.”

The ex-militants leaders said that they are also using the opportunity to bring to the knowledge of President Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians that these iniquitous people instigating the sack of Mele Kyari have been observed regrouping themselves to restart oil theft and other illegal activities in the Niger Delta.

They said: “They are digging very deep to compromise the subsidy removal and push the effects of fuel subsidy removal to bite so hard on the poor masses. These people are exploring every devilish means possible to compromise the security architecture currently on ground in the Niger Delta.

“We, therefore, call on the federal government ably led by Bola Tinubu to strengthen the Tantita pipeline surveillance, in order to strangle the axis of criminality in the downstream sector of our oil economy.

“Our informants have reported that these law breakers have started operations in their artisanal refineries in those areas of Niger Delta where TANTITA security do not have jurisdiction to protect.

“The cabals have tried severally and failed to bribe the TANTITA security outfit which was contacted by Kyari to holistically and truly secure the oil pipeline and installations in the region.

“As their bribery strategy failed to bear fruit, their frustration was recently exposed by the mischievous advise they are giving to Mr President to sack Mallam Khari. This advice is nothing but a ‘Trojan horse’ that will deliver a knockout blow to the NNPCL and the country backward again.”

The consequences, the ex-militant leaders warned, will extend to the TANTITA, which would subsequently bring favourable condition to these felons, to continue perpetually in their sabotage.

They, therefore, called on President Ahmed Tinubu to neglect and throw wet blanket to their immoral quest.