The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has called for the public disclosure of the on-going probe of the importation of contaminated fuel into the country.
The House of Representatives Committee on Downstream is currently probing oil firms and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) over the toxic fuel saga.
The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, in a statement: Adulterated Fuel Saga: “Apology not enough, heads must roll” described the apologies offered by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Kolo Mele Kyari and the Minister of State Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva on the imported toxic fuel “vacuous and insufficient” noting that it was “completely avoidable, and represents an inexcusable example of gross dereliction of duty and official negligence.”
Owoaje, who stressed that all companies and officials found culpable should be sanctioned , said their actions had impacted negatively on Nigerians.
“Either through compromise, wilful negligence, or sheer incompetence, the people entrusted to ensure adequate standards of imported petrol failed in their official duty and, in the process, imperilled our citizens. It is shameful that after being unable to revive the four refineries in the country, despite the humongous yearly Turn around Maintenance (TAM) budgets, the NNPC has continued to mismanage the oil sector with a persistent lack of transparency in its operations,” he said.
Owoaje recommended a transparent template to compensate victims, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari should use the toxic fuel saga to correct the impression that his administration lacks the will to sanction erring public officials.
The statement read in part: We hereby support calls for all those involved in the inspection chain that should have prevented the present embarrassing situation from happening be placed on suspension pending investigation.
“Also a transparent, adequate and acceptable template must be designed to compensate those who have suffered material losses as a result of using the contaminated fuel.
“Furthermore, Nigerians expect that the on-going probe would be allowed to run its course, and its outcome made public. All officials found culpable should be made to face the full wrath of the law. “Regulators who outsource their responsibilities and plunge the country into avoidable chaos need not be at their duty posts a day longer. All companies indicted should face punitive fines to ensure a strong deterrence to future misconduct.
“Nigerians have had enough of poor leadership across political and economic strata, and the depressing scenes of citizens spending invaluable productive hours hunting for petrol should jolt any right thinking leadership into spontaneous action.
“President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration must use the opportunity of the toxic fuel saga to correct the impression that his government is too weak to sanction erring officials who habitually display rankling impunity in the course of their duties. He does not need another public outcry after the next catastrophic event before wielding the big stick on behalf of his long-suffering citizens.”
