The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has told the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Kolo Mele Kyari, to step aside to allow for an unfettered probe by the House of Representatives into the payment of N20 billion to a ghost consultant.

The group alleged that the NNPC manipulated the fuel subsidy regime which according to it was seen during the acute fuel scarcity that lasted over six months, during the dark period, Nigerians were buying fuel for N400 per litre, while the Federal Government spending on subsidy skyrocketed.

The group in a press statement on Monday signed by its president, Comrade Isah Abubakar urged the House of Representatives to probe the NNPC beyond the N20 billion contract scam, even as it threatened a massive civil protest if the GCEO refuses to step aside.

The group also urged other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to join it in the struggle to hold the NNPCL accountable for its actions.

“The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria believes that a thorough investigation into the payment of N20 billion to a ghost consultant is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” the group stated.

While calling on the House of Representatives to take urgent action and investigate the NNPC thoroughly, NYCN noted that the outcome of the investigation would help to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry and the government as a whole.

“NYCN is committed to ensuring that the NNPC is held accountable for its actions and that the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is transparent and accountable.

“We believe that the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry depends on the actions taken by the government and the NNPC to address the issues raised by the payment of N20 billion to a ghost consultant,” the statement added. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Daily Independent)

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