Katherine Abayomi.
The Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers of Port Harcourt refinery depot demand that Engr. Bayo Aderenle should be immediately removed due to alleged negative actions.
Aderenle, who is currently the Refinery Coordinator, is allegedly acting as an agent of a private refinery seeking to gain a monopoly over Nigeria’s refinery sector.
It is observed that his acts of sabotage were deliberately designed to cripple the Port Harcourt Refinery, which would lead to market dominance for a private-owned refinery and result in increased fuel prices in the county, exacerbating the people’s economic hardship.
The Board further states that Aderenle’s actions mark a disregard for the rights and interests of the host Communities.
“During the rehabilitation process, he denied our communities their rightful benefits, including contracts, empowerment opportunities, and the sale of scraps. Instead, he engaged in corrupt practices, short-changing the Host Communities while favoring his associates.
Engr. Bayo’s actions have hindered the completion of the CRU of the old refinery plant and are slowing down efforts to make Areas 1, 2, and 3 of the new refinery fully operational. We fear that the planned shutdown will also lead to the disengagement of our sons and daughters who are currently working on the refinery’s O&M,” the board stated.
The Critical stakeholders stated their unwavering commitment to ensuring the refinery’s full functionality and not allowing him to prioritise private interests over the welfare of Nigerians.
They called for the immediate appointment of a substantive Managing Director for the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited to facilitate the ongoing rehabilitation, which Aderenle vehemently opposes. They stated that a permanent MD would bring stability and direction, which would lead to the refinery’s revival and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
“We call upon the Minister of State for Petroleum, the NNPCL GCEO, to heed our call and wade into the demand for the removal of Engr. Bayo Aderenle is an agent clearly working against the nation’s interests. We also urge the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to intervene in this matter and ensure that Engr. Bayo Aderenle is held accountable for his actions”
The Board demands swift action to address Aderenle sabotage and protect the interest of Nigerians.
