The Mayor of Urhoboland and renowned ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro has dismissed the protest staged recently at the Utako office of NNPCL by some workers of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commsision, NURPC describing those involved as a “handful of mischief makers” who were sponsored by known faces over unhealthy rivalry in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL.
Akpodoro in a world press conference held Thursday in Abuja, disclosed that no amount of conspiracy could unseat Gbenga Komolafe describing those behind the protest as orchestra of unbridled elements who cannot unseat Gbenga Komolafe who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
He noted that Komolafe has exuded enough expertise that thrust up the commission since his appointment to the helm of the upstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum industry.
The gang up against Komolafe, the Mayor stated, is obvious adding that those who see the chief executive officer as a threat are behind the protest aimed at embarrassing a man he described as a top-notch in the management of petroleum industry.
Akpodoro further stated that, “the focus of the protest by a handful of malfeasants is sponsored by senior officials of the NNPCL who are bent on getting rid of the commissioner to pave way for themselves to perpetrate looting that Komolafe has been impeding since his appointment.’
Komolafe, according to Akpodoro, since becoming the CEO of the commission has put in innovative ideas to the management of that segment of the petroleum industry, a development he noted, send jitters to the spines of “timid souls” whom he said are jealous of his growth and achievements in the industry.
“Those behind the protests are known and at the right time, the youths of the Niger Delta region will go after those enemies of progress who overrate themselves in delusion of grandeur. Komolafe has been a blessing to the NNPC and even his well wishers have been making frantic calls to the current administration to beam searchlight on this technocrat with a view to assigning higher duties to him.
“While Komolafe aims higher, his detractors are vainfully chasing shadows thinking they can unseat a man whom God has placed. We are behind him and nobody can intimidate, blackmail, vilify or threaten him with industrial action. If those inciting protests, damaging lies and rumours against Komolafe do not desist, we shall name and shame them soon,” the Mayor stated.
He called on the management of NNPCL to ensure no evil befalls the Chief Executive Officer, NURPC saying that the corporation owes the citizens the responsibilities of stabilising the economy particularly the energy crisis bedeveling the nation rather than allowing for protests targeting a single individual in a clear case of blackmail.
