Former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), have urged the Federal government to ensure stiff sanction against anyone found hindering “oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria” as such activities constitutes ” acts of criminality and economic sabotage.”
They commended the NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, for his strides in implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and achievements being attained by the Company under his leadership.
They expressed these views in a communique endorsed by six of them in attendance at the Meeting of Former NNPC GMDs at the CEO Forum hosted in Abuja by NNPC on Saturday. They include: Chief Chamberlain Oyibo, Dr Jackson Gaius – Obaseki, Engr Funsho Kupolokun, Engr Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua, Engr Austen Oniwon, Engr Andrew Yakubu and Engr Abiye Member (Fmr GED E&P – Resource Person). The meeting provided opportunity for them to get insight into developments and challenges of the NNPC.
According to them, “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. Therefore, all activities hindering oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria must be sanctioned.”
The Ex-GMDs of NNPC further noted with satisfaction the significant progress made 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.
“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”, they asserted.
The full text of the communique reads:
Communique Issued at the Conclusion of the Meeting of Former NNPC GMDs at the CEO Forum in Abuja
We, the former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of NNPC, express our unwavering support for the current leadership and their commendable efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors.
Today, 20th July, 2024, NNPC hosted a CEO Forum attended by the underlisted with the senior management staff. The forum provided insights on NNPC’s transition post PIA, the challenges and opportunities therefrom.
We obtained insights into NNPC’s business activities in the context of global energy industry dynamics, strategic aspirations and operational updates. In particular, 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.
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 also acknowledge with satisfaction the significant progress made 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
Reduction in carbon emissions and commercialisation of Nigeria’s vast gas resources
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 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. Therefore, all activities hindering oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria must be sanctioned.
We appreciate 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 H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Signed
Dr Jackson Gaius Obaseki Date / Signature
Underlisted:
Chief Chamberlain Oyibo
Dr Jackson Gaius – Obaseki
Engr Funsho Kupolokun
Engr Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua
Engr Austen Oniwon
Engr Andrew Yakubu
Engr Abiye Member (Fmr GED E&P – Resource Person)
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