Group wants Buhari to Sack Customs Boss over Attack on NNPC without Evidence

Network for Election Education, Sensitization and Awareness has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack of Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali over recent attack on Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its Group Chief Executive ,Mele Kyari .

According to the group, as a stakeholder in the oil and gas industry, it was regrettable to hear how the Controller General of Customs, Hameed Ali descended so low to attack the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd. without a scientific evidence to buttress his claims.

Addressing journalists at his Kaduna office today , Engineer (Dr.) Kailani Muhammad said after a careful scrutiny of Ali’s allegations against the NNPC Ltd and its Group Chief Executive, Mele Kyari, it became vividly clear that the issues he raised were unscientific and devoid of any facts.

He explained:”The accusations he leveled merely suggested how desperate he was at covering his failings as Controller General of the Nigeria Custom Services due to his inability to tame the wide allegations of corruption in the service, as well as his poor handling of the nation’s borders.

“The Custom Services under him is regrettably in its worst period, unable to root out the corrupt practices and to manage the nation’s borders very well.

“At a point in time, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Fadahunsi, and the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Customs Senator Fadahunsi had to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve Hameed Ali of his position in order to save the organization from further drift.”

He However said ,”While the custom services continue to drift under Hameed Ali’s watch who apparently uses “military approach” to the organization that requires professional handling, Kyari has positive things to offer to the country, hence the best option is to ease Hameed Ali out and have a professional that can manage the organization very well as a round peg in a round hole.”

While noting that the NNPC is now a private venture, operating as a business body in line with the best global practices, he said Mele Kyari who has been driving the organization with efficiency, passion and determination to turn it around as one of the best Petroleum Company in the world is still holding forte, a development that is giving hope to every stakeholder in the industry and at international level.

He posited that the Kyari administration has propelled NNPC to greater heights and the organization is being run as a successful profit venture.

Kailani further disclosed At the recent United Nation General Assembly 77 UNGA77, Kyari has attracted International community who are willing to invest in the Nigeria gas project.

“The issue of zero carbon emission, the need for huge foreign investment in the development of gas as a transition fuel, the persistent oil theft in the Niger Delta region and how government laid out security architecture to reduce the menace associated with the oil production as well as the laying of gas pipelines in the African corridor were the dominant issues in his address at UNGA77.

“Most importantly, Kyari will continue with the advocacy in Africa as he is billed to attend Africa Oil Week in Cape Town, South Africa where issues of sustainable growth in a low carbon world would dominate discussions.”