The Power Transparency Initiative (ETI) has criticised the current statements made by Honorable Phillips Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the Federal Home of Representatives.
Throughout a media look in Abuja, Agbese alleged that the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company Restricted (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have been intentionally undermining the Dangote refinery.
ETI decried the allegations as deceptive and a critical deviation from Agbese’s obligations as a federal lawmaker.
In line with ETI, Agbese’s shift from his function as an neutral consultant to an advocate for the Dangote Refinery is deeply troubling.
The group acknowledged that Agbese’s actions display a regarding sample of prioritizing particular person enterprise pursuits over the collective welfare of Nigerians.
The assertion signed by the convener of the ETI, Ganzallo Gbenga and program officer, Chinelo Ochiaga, learn: ”Such remarks are usually not solely deceptive but additionally display a regarding departure from his obligations as a federal lawmaker.
”Whereas we aren’t keen to be the mouthpiece of each regulatory authorities, being accused by Mr Agbese, we can’t however remind Nigerians, that as a company with over a decade of involvement in a collection of advocacy on Transparency and accountability within the sector, now we have full information of points, which might be accountable for the current dispute between Dangote Refinery and the regulatory authorities.
”Furthermore, as a CSO, we’re very accustomed to Agbese who used civil society to butter his bread towards its ethics, an motion he has carried into politics.
”It’s troubling that Agbese has chosen to desert his responsibility as a consultant of the folks and as an alternative assumed the function of an advocate for the Dangote Refinery. His place ought to obligate him to behave impartially, particularly in issues involving a number of stakeholders.
”By aligning himself so carefully with a single enterprise curiosity, he undermines the very essence of his function as an unbiased arbitrator inside any related committee.
”Within the Home of Reps, his voice has by no means been heard, no payments sponsored, no motions moved aside from seconding one as dictated by his stomach and has additionally not carried out empowerment to his Constituency. He has instantly discovered his voice when non-public refinery {dollars} echoed his title.
Agbese’s actions reveal a troubling sample of prioritizing the pursuits of a single entity over the broader collective welfare of Nigerians. The Dangote refinery, whereas a big participant within the trade, represents particular person enterprise pursuits that don’t essentially align with the nationwide curiosity.
”The obvious bias demonstrated by Agbese dangers neglecting the broader implications of the refinery’s operations on the final populace and undermines the regulatory framework designed to make sure honest play and transparency.
”It’s crucial to remind the child lawmaker that his name for the dismissal of the Group Chief Government Officer of NNPCL and the Authority Chief Government of NMDPRA is just not solely misplaced however lacks benefit.
”We had anticipated all events concerned on this NNPCL and Dangote feud to keep up their silence however shocked to grasp that Agbese who’s a member of the committee arrange by the Home of Reps to analyze surrounding allegations selected to take a facet and has made assertion which might be uncalled for. He ought to requested to be college on how each the NNPCL and NMDPRA work and never dabble into affairs which might be past his literacy stage.
”The period the place Agbese blackmails public establishments won’t fly with authorities businesses as they received’t succumb to such. The businesses focused for blackmail and pecuniary features by Agbese and his group has outlived governments and people and can so proceed, irrespective of the company or legislative blackmail.
”The oil and gasoline sector enterprise is simply too refined a information for little minds like Agbese to know and meddle into. Whereas it’s comprehensible that he has pocketed just a few {dollars} from his sponsors, we urge him to instantly resign his place because the Deputy Spokesperson of the Home of Representatives and ship his CV to Dangote for employment to work underneath Chijiena.
”He also can selected to use for employment in NNPCL if he chooses to defend them, particularly now that the recruitment train is ongoing. The one ache and remorse in all of that is that the lovable folks of
Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency made the most important mistake of their life in electing a correct blackmailer because the consultant.
”It is a grave error that they need to appropriate in 2027 by making certain that their votes are usually not wasted on him. Benue indigenes are too sound to have a lawmaker turned to an errand boy by a company establishment.
”It’s not even too late for Agbese return to the nice folks of his Federal Constituency that he represents to inform them that he has taken over the function of the Dangote refinery spokesman in order that they will ship a reputable hand to the Home of Representatives.
”We name on the management of the Home of Representatives to handle this matter with the seriousness it deserves. It’s essential that members of the Home deal with their legislative duties and chorus from interfering in regulatory points they don’t absolutely perceive. This may be certain that the integrity of the legislative course of is maintained and that public belief is upheld.
”The Power Transparency Initiative urges the Home management to rein in Honorable Agbese and his associates. Their present method not solely jeopardizes the efficient functioning of regulatory our bodies but additionally dangers undermining the efforts to attain transparency and accountability within the oil and gasoline sector. Agbese’s arms have been so corrupted with oil {dollars} and might not be allowed to talk for the hallowed chambers. He ought to step apart!
”We additional implore all stakeholders to stay vigilant and uphold the ideas of equity and transparency. The progress of Nigeria’s oil and gasoline sector depends upon the collective efforts of all events concerned, and it’s crucial that particular person agendas don’t derail this vital endeavour.
”The Power Transparency Initiative shall stay dedicated to advocating for due course of, transparency, and safety within the oil and gasoline sector. We are going to proceed to watch developments and be certain that all actions and insurance policies are aligned with the nationwide curiosity, free from undue affect or partisan agendas.”