NIES 2022: Wunti Bags Ministerial Award for Outstanding Performance

The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Engr. Bala Wunti, has been honoured with Ministerial Award for Outstanding Performance for the 2019-2022 period.

The award was presented to Wunti by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, at the just-concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), Persecondnews reports.

A citation on Wunti read at the summit, described him as a thoroughbred oil and gas industry professional with 30 years of experience covering technical, commercial, managerial, and executive roles across the entire oil and gas value chain.

Since joining the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the graduate of Chemistry from the Ahmadu Bello University, and a Master’s degree holder in Business Administration, has held several key positions in the NNPC, where he has performed excellently.

The citation further noted that the GGM, NAPIMS had successfully led some critical national assignments and from 2019–2021 has ensured that all responsibilities assigned to him were thoroughly and satisfactorily carried out.

“Wunti, who is currently the GGM, NAPIMS, had previously served as the Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Group General Manager, Corporate Planning & Strategy and Senior Technical Adviser to five different Group Managing Directors of NNPC, amongst others.

“His key achievements include that he coordinated the Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Programme (NUCOP); an industry initiative to reduce unit operating cost to sub $10 per barrel and contracting cycle to six months,” it noted.

“In addition, he coordinated the development and implementation of commercial solutions that resolved various protracted industry disputes which will unlock major investments of over $20 billion in the deepwater and shallow water in Nigeria.

“He is also instrumental to the expanded PPMC’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by about N2.1 billion ($5.8 million) annually through enhanced collection of PEF statutory fees.

“Furthermore, Wunti formulated and operationalized the ‘Operation White’ program to instill transparency and accountability in the supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide and eliminate product diversion to neighboring countries.

“He restructured the PPMC commercial division for end-to-end visibility of petroleum products supply and to reposition the organisation for enhanced profitability.

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“He also ensured steady supply of petroleum products nationwide as Managing Director of the PPMC,” the citation read.

In his remarks, Wunti who also serves as a Technical Member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Economic Board, lauded the ministry for the award.

He thanked Minister of State for Petroleum for finding him worthy of the Award, and the Group Executive Director Upstream, Engr Adokiye Tombomieye, for nominating him.

The NAPIMS boss pledged to ensure that the goals and objectives of the NNPC as they concern his area of responsibility as the NAPIMS boss are met and indeed surpassed.

“I dedicate this award to my excellent colleagues at both NAPIMS and PPMC where I had the rare privilege of leading the teams at both organizations within the period. I thank the GMD NNPC Ltd, Dr. Mele Kyari, for his exemplary leadership, continuous guidance, and support.

“This is also a call for us at NAPIMS to continue to improve, create and deliver value with the support, leadership, vision and commitment of the GMD in line with the #TAPE agenda.

“Let me take this opportunity to also appreciate and thank the permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and all members of the Senior Management Team of both NNPC Ltd and the Ministry.

“Finally, we remain resolute in our commitment to continue to deliver on our mandate for the benefit of all stakeholders,” he said.