The Nigerian Youths Alliance (NYA), a socio-cultural group representing Nigerian youths, has commended Mallam Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), for promoting transparency, probity, accountability, and good governance in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The group specifically praised Kyari’s transparency in the company’s payment of an interim dividend of N123 billion to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the month of June, following the recent removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government.

The NYA urged Nigerians to be patient with the government during this period of transition, as the removal of fuel subsidies is necessary for the country’s progress and survival. The group criticized corrupt individuals and oil marketers who had taken advantage of the subsidy payment scheme, becoming billionaires overnight at the expense of the Nigerian masses.

The NYA emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidies is not about any individual or specific government official but is for the greater good and well-being of Nigerians. They commended the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration and the bold initiatives taken to address the issue.

The group also praised Mallam Mele Kyari, the NNPC chief, for his selfless service, integrity, and outstanding leadership in the industry. They lauded his transparency in opening the financial books of NNPC for public scrutiny, a practice that was unprecedented in the past. Kyari’s efforts to combat oil theft and introduce innovations in the oil industry were also acknowledged by the NYA.

“In the history of the oil company, Mr. Kyari has proven to be man of selfless service, integrity, outstanding astute industry technocrat, a professional par excellence,” said the group in a statement made available to TheGuardian.

“Nigerians will attest to the fact that Kyari’s achievements have surpassed all his predecessors for the past 20 years.

“He has distinguished himself to be a visionary and professional manager with a towering repertoire of the inner workings of the industry, having served in various positions over the years.

“In barely two months since the government stopped payment of fuel subsidy payment, he delivered a whopping N123 billion to FAAC. This is commendable.

“Before his assumption of office as the GMD of the defunct NNPC; there were a lot of unresolved and knotty issues lingering and hampering the sector from achieving its potential. He stepped in and proffered solutions to them.

“Even before the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which he promoted, Kyari convinced Nigerians of the new direction of the NNPC by making the financial books open transparently for public probity which has changed the opacity in the system.

“NNPC financial books have never been opened transparently for public scrutiny over the years, but Kyari changed the narratives.

“He has effectively deployed his wealth of experience to spearhead giant innovations which have helped in repositioning the NNPC today.

“In his bid to put an end to the business of oil thieves, in 2022, Kyari introduced the ‘Crude Theft Monitoring Application’ to check the theft of Nigeria’s oil. The CTMA, which has been helpful in preventing oil theft, has application options for reporting incidents, with prompt follow-up and responses and another one for crude sales documents validation.

“Not quite long after Kyari assumed office, the stifling Covid-19 pandemic hit the world economy which adversely affected the petroleum industry real hard, the price of crude oil dropped sharply in the international market which affected our revenue earnings drastically but with resilience and careful handling of its affairs, we were able to come out stronger.

“While we plead with Nigerians to be patient as the dividends for their current pains will come soon, we urge the new NNPCL and its management to remain focused and sustain their good works even as the country navigates through these trying moments.”

Despite the temporary pains caused by the subsidy removal, the NYA urged Nigerians to remain patient as the benefits would be evident in the long run. They called on the NNPC and its management to stay focused and continue their good work as the country navigates through these challenging times.