Former group managing directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have urged the current GCEO Mele Kyari to enhance public information regarding NNPC operations following its transition to a private entity under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
They emphasised that improved communication would foster transparency and trust, addressing long-standing perceptions of secrecy surrounding the company even as they expressed concern over misinformation stemming from limited public information.
The GMDs said this in a communique issued on Saturday at the end of their chief executive officers forum in Abuja.
They also commended the current leadership for achievements in production growth, infrastructure development, and environmental initiatives, while emphasising the need for transparency to counter misleading narratives about NNPC’s progress and challenges in the oil and gas sector.
“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,” they said.
This is as they expressed their unwavering support for the current leadership and their efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The former GMDs that attended the meeting and signed the communiqué are Dr Jackson Gaius Obaseki ; Chief Chamberlain Oyibo;Engr Funsho Kupolokun; Engr Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua; Engr Austen Oniwon and Engr Andrew Yakubu.
The forum provided insights on NNPC’s transition post Petroleum Industry Act, the challenges and opportunities therefrom.
During the meeting, the GMDs said they obtained insights into NNPC’s business activities in the context of global energy industry dynamics, strategic aspirations and operational updates.
In particular, they said in the communique that oil and gas production growth plan, gas infrastructure project delivery plan, progress on refinery rehabilitation and issues related to petroleum product supply and energy security were discussed.
They commended Kyari and the NNPC Ltd management in their efforts in increasing crude oil and gas production, funding of upstream operations and investments, gas supply and infrastructure development for domestic and export including CNG and LPG delivery, refineries rehabilitation progress and reduction in carbon emissions and commercialisation of Nigeria’s vast gas resources
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 expressed our satisfaction in the achievements recorded and encouraged the management team to continue advancing strategies to improve operations, grow portfolio, and manage talent.
“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 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 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.
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