PDP Wants Those Behind Importation Of Toxic Fuel Exposed, Punished

By Ayodele Oni

The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an inquiry into how toxic fuel was imported to the country. The Party also wants those behind the scandal punished.

Already, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, has named the companies responsible. They include Oando, MRS, Duke Oil, and a couple of others. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives resolved to probe the circumstances behind the importation of the dirty fuel.

Also, the Minister for State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, promised that those behind it will be punished.

But the party  slammed the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for attempting to shield some of its members involved in the importation of the fuel.

A statement on Thursday by the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba the PDP accused the APC of cover-up.

Part of the statement said that the PDP is alerting “Nigerians of the attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide official cover for APC leaders reportedly involved in the criminal importation of toxic fuel into our country.

It continued:

“The PDP demands investigation into reports of how APC leaders allegedly connived with foreign interests to import very cheap heavily contaminated fuel laden with methanol in their desperation to defraud Nigerians and corruptly raise billions of naira to fund the APC National Convention and rigging of the 2023 general elections.

“It is now clear that APC leaders are frenziedly seeking ways to steal money to fund their 2023 rigging scheme, since our Party and well-meaning Nigerians exposed and challenged their plots to siphon a staggering N2.557 trillion padded as fuel subsidy for 2022.

“The PDP strongly condemns these despicable acts by APC leaders which further expose the impunity and wickedness of the APC towards Nigerians.

“The inclination for official concealment ostensibly informed the refusal by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, on national television on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 to name those involved in the importation of the poisonous fuel into our country.

“Against this backdrop, the PDP rejects the announced internal investigation of this terrible crime by the government as the APC administration cannot be trusted given its manifest predilection to shield the APC leaders involved.

“Nigerians note the various investigations instituted by the APC government in the past which ended without any meaningful outcome; notable among which was the manipulated EndSARS Report.

“The PDP therefore demands for an Independent Commission of Enquiry to investigate all issues connected to the ‘APC Toxic Fuel ImportGate.’ Those involved must be exposed and held accountable.

“Where was the toxic fuel imported from? Which company is the pre-inspection agent?  How much was paid for the very cheap contaminated fuel and through which banks was payment effected? All documents relating to the transaction must be made public.

“Our Party insists that President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources cannot acquit himself with his reported comedy of anger, buck-passing, querying of subordinates and attempt by government to use some companies as scapegoats, instead of accepting responsibility by exposing and naming individuals involved in the crime.

“President Buhari and the APC must explain how the reported 317 million liters of toxic fuel came into our country, got cleared and distributed across the nation to worsen the life-discounting experiences of millions of Nigerians under the APC administration.

“Apart from the consequential economic hardship occasioned by the damaging of cars and equipment, crippling of means of livelihood across the country as well as increase in the cost of food items and essential services, the cascading effect of adulterated fuel on our aviation industry can only be imagined.

“Sadly, the situation has the possibility to trigger loss of confidence by international airlines in our aviation fuel supply with attendant economic downturn as they would more likely prefer to fuel in neighbouring countries.

“Our Party calls on all Nigerians, particularly the Organized Labour, Civil Society, Student Bodies, Professional Bodies and all persons of goodwill to insist on an independent inquiry of this crime against the Nigerian people.

“In any case, the PDP strongly cautions the APC and its corrupt government to note that they are practically pushing Nigerians to the wall and there is a limit to which the people can continue to stomach the barefaced atrocities and impunities of the APC.”

For the records, President Muhammadu Buhari is the substantive Minister for Petroleum Resources.