Kyari, Ajiya Appointment Legal, Labour Clears Air

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff ASsociation of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) yesterday clarified that the current appointments of Mele Kyari as group chief executive officer (GCEO) and Umar Ajiya as the chief finance officer (CFO) of NNPC Limited are fully in line with the provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

In a statement jointly issued by NUPENG general secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale and Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa the general secretary of PENGASSAN in Abuja, the labour unions cited section 59(3) of the Act, saying the duo had exited from the old NNPC corporation where they were previously employed with their exit packages paid in-line with establish rules and conditions of services.

This came amidst media “misleading report” on the reappointment of both Kyari and Ajiya by President Muhammadu Buhari into the NNPC Limited.

The unions further clarified that their condition of service are also in line with the provision of the new NNPC Limited as approved by the governing board.

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The statement reads in parts, “For clarity and correction of the wrong impression being created in the public space, the duo of Mallam Mele Kyari and Mr Umar Ajiya have gloriously served in different capacities for many years in the employment of the NNPC with unambiguous conditions of service which include gratuity on exit from the Corporation.

Immediately they exited, from the old corporation where they were previously employed, their exit packages were paid in-line with establish rules and conditions of services. Their current appointments are fully in line with the provision of PIA and their condition of service are also in line with the provision of the new NNPC Limited as approved by the NNPC Limited governing board”.

“The duo of Mallam Mele Kyari and Mr Umar Ajiya like any other Nigerians deserve to be considered for appointments in line with established rules and regulations and so far they have not been found wanting in the discharge of their duties or committed any crime, we urge Nigerians to ignore the mischief makers and join hands with other patriotic Nigerians to help the nation and the good people of this country derive the maximum returns from our God given natural resource.

As critical stakeholders in this industry, we celebrate the inspirational turn around and reforms that the duo brought to the then NNPC and now to NNPC Limited, these reforms do not just ensure that NNPC Limited was turned around from serial financial Losses to Profits making, the welfare of our members have been greatly improved.

We hereby urge all journalists to take pains in carrying out their investigation thoroughly before publishing so as not to engage in smear campaign as this will adversely affect the growth of oil and gas industry”, it added.