Nigerians on social media X have mocked a war declared by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), against challenges affecting crude oil production in the country.
Recall that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, had announced a “war” on the challenges of crude oil production while delivering his keynote address at the opening of the 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition Week in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We have decided to stop the debate. We have declared war on the challenges affecting our crude oil production. War means war. We have the right tools. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets. We have engaged our partners. And we will work together to improve the situation,” he stated.
Kyari added that the “war” will help NNPCL and its partners to speedily clear all identified obstacles to effective and efficient production, such as delays in procurement processes, which have become a challenge in the industry.
However, in reacting to the “war”, netizens have slammed Kyari, adding that this was not the first time he would make such empty promises.
An X user identified as Ijeoma Nwogwugwu wrote; ” But @MKKyari made the same promise to reduce production cost (sic) about five years ago. He was unable to deliver that promise to transform NNPC, so why should we believe him now….Jokers Unlimited.”
On his part, Abba Audu Benisheikh commended the move by NNPCL Ltd, describing it as a bold step towards revolutionizing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“Declaring a state of emergency on crude oil production and collaborating with industry players to reduce production cost is a laudable initiative that will yield positive results,” Benisheikh said.
In his reaction, another X user with the handle @Dun spiro spero stated thus “Una sha like dey whine us. They ‘ve been stealing oil since 90s but here we are declaring an emergency in 2024.”
Indeed, this is not the first time Kyari has made failed promises regarding the petroleum sector.
On March 13, he announced to Nigerians in an interactive session with the Senate ad hoc committee investigating various turnaround maintenance (TAM) projects of Nigerian refineries that the Port Harcourt refinery would become operational in two weeks.
A statement by NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye quoted Kyari saying, “We will make sure that promises that we made about rehabilitation of these refineries are kept.”
More than three months after the date given by Kyari, the Port Harcourt refinery is yet to kick off operation giving room for the reactions that have greeted his “war”.
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