Ex-NNPC GMDs commend Kyari’s strides, fight against economic saboteurs

The former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., have expressed unwavering support for the current leadership and their commendable efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors.

Former NNPC GMDs praised NNPC Ltd. for its oil and gas production growth plan, gas infrastructure project delivery plan, and refinery rehabilitation progress in a communiqué they released at the conclusion of their meeting at the CEO Forum in Abuja on Saturday.

In a statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the ex-GMD commended Mr. Mele Kyari as the first Group CEO to implement the PIA and noted with satisfaction the progress made with the hope that its limitations will be addressed over time.

The statement reads: “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 commercialization 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 portfolios, 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 its 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.”

The statement added: “We trust that government security agencies will do the needful and ensure that crude oil theft, illegal refining, and the activities of pipeline vandals are stopped to allow for investment and growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We appreciate the support that all tiers of government and Nigerian citizens continue to give NNPC and trust that this will be sustained by the present administration of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”