Group backs Agbese on NNPC, NMDPRA probe

The Energy Transparency Initiative (ETI) has refuted claims that Rep. Philip Agbase, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has assumed the role of an advocate for the Dangote Refinery.

The allegation was made in a statement by one Mr Ganzallo Gbenga, who was said to be the convener of ETI, and the programme officer, Mr Chinelo Ochiaga, on July 27.

However, Mr Francis Nedu, the group’s president, and Mr. Ismaila Bello, the secretary, ETI, said in a joint statement in Abuja on Monday that the persons were expelled long ago.

According to Bello, this was due to fraudulent activities and other abuses that contradicted the group’s objectives.

“We are shocked and dismayed that these individuals would continue to impersonate ETI and make statements that do not reflect our values and mission.

“Their actions are a clear attempt to blackmail and take advantage of innocent parties, and we condemn their behaviour in the strongest terms.”

He said that the leadership of ETI was aware that some government agencies had allegedly released as much as $500,000 to the impostors.

This, according to him, is to blackmail Agbese and other National Assembly members who want sanity in the oil and gas sector.

He therefore expressed support for Agbese’s claims of deliberate attempts by the Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to discredit Dangote Refinery Company.

The group said Agbese demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage in “exposing the truth” and applauded his efforts to protect Nigerian entrepreneurs and promote indigenous businesses.

He added that Agbese’s dedication to serving the people and upholding the principles of fairness and transparency had been exemplary.

He said that the Deputy Spokesperson has shown that he is a true representative of the people, and his actions have earned him the respect and admiration of many.

The group said that NNPCL and NMDPRA have shown a clear bias towards international oil companies (IOCs) and have consistently frustrated the efforts of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

“Their actions are a disservice to the nation and undermine the government’s efforts to promote indigenous businesses.”

The ETI, therefore, expressed support for the House of Representatives’ call for the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, to resign.

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The group said that Agbese’s reiteration of the House’s earlier call for the NMDPRA boss to be sacked is the position of many Nigerians who meant well for President Bola Tinubu.

“We believe that the dismissal of the NNPC Group CEO, Mele Kyari, is long overdue as well.”

The group therefore called on President Tinubu to take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that the regulatory agencies served the interests of the nation, not just a select few.

ETI, however, said that it had taken legal action against the imposters and already involved law enforcement agencies to ensure that they were brought to justice.

“We will not tolerate any attempts to impersonate our organization or make false statements that damage our reputation,” the statement noted.

The group urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency, adding that it would continue to monitor developments.

The group said it would ensure that all actions and policies are aligned with the national interest, free from undue influence or partisan agendas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NMDPRA had denied any wrongdoing.

In a BBC Hausa Service, interview, Farouk Ahmed the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA said the agency was working according to its mandates.

“Dangote himself said that we are helping him.

“We have more than 10 workers who are working 24/7 to make sure everything goes as planned and he came to say, thank you. So saying that we are undermining or sabotaging him is incorrect.

“People don’t want to be guided by laws; maybe they want to be allowed to do as they please”, he said.