From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd have praised the current leadership for its contributions to enhancing the oil and gas sector. They highlighted improvements in production, funding for upstream operations, investments, and infrastructure development for both domestic use and export.
The ex-GMDs expressed their commendation in a jointly signed communiqué released over the weekend, following their Chief Executive Officers Forum held in Abuja.
The former GMDs who attended the meeting and signed the communiqué include Dr. Jackson Gaius Obaseki, Chief Chamberlain Oyibo, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Engr. Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua, Engr. Austen Oniwon, and Engr. Andrew Yakubu.
They remarked that the forum offered valuable insights into NNPC’s transition following the Petroleum Industry Act, as well as the associated challenges and opportunities.
According to the GMDs, they gained a better understanding of NNPC’s business activities within the context of global energy industry dynamics, as well as its strategic objectives and operational updates.
In particular, they stated in the communiqué that discussions focused on the oil and gas production growth plan, the delivery plan for gas infrastructure projects, advancements in refinery rehabilitation, and matters concerning petroleum product supply and energy security.
They expressed satisfaction in the achievements recorded and encouraged the management team to continue advancing strategies to improve operations, grow portfolio, and manage talent.
The GMDs said, “We commend Mele Kyari as the first Group CEO to implement the PIA, and noted with satisfaction the progress made with hope that its limitations will be addressed over time.
“We note with satisfaction the continuation of the policy on recruitment which takes into consideration the principles of diversity and inclusion as well as performance based career progression via a transparent process.
“We also noted that limited information is in the public domain on NNPC’s operations since transition to a private commercial entity. This has led to misleading commentary which we believe is not in tandem with the strides achieved by the company.
“We empathise with the management team over the state of onshore operations with over seven thousand illegal refineries destroyed and over five thousand illegal connections removed.
“We reiterate that any attack on crude oil and gas facilities as well as illegal refining are acts of criminality and economic sabotage.”
They called on the government to ensure that all activities hindering oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria are be sanctioned.
The former NNPC Bosses also appreciated that the PIA has made provisions for the Host communities’ development and also provided for sustainable funding.
“We trust that Government Security Agencies will do the needful and ensure that crude oil theft, illegal refining and activities of pipeline vandals are stopped to allow for investment and growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“We appreciate the support that all tiers of Government and the Nigerian citizens continue to give NNPC and trust that this will be sustained by the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” they added