NNPC can help Nigeria out of recession – Obasanjo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has called for urgent reform of the business operations model of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in order to lift the economy out of recession and create wealth for Nigerians.

Obasanjo made this call when the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru visited him at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta on Wednesday, according to a statement from Garba Deen Mohammed, group general manager, group public affairs division of NNPC has said.

“What I do understand is reforms. I believe organizations like the NNPC should be reformed. I don’t understand this talk of selling of national assets. Selling of national assets is wrong. But reform is what I think should be done so that we can run the business of NNPC the way it should be run,” Obasanjo stated.

He added “If there is any organization that can help us quickly get out of recession, it is NNPC. If you work hard, you can get around the situation. I want to encourage you and hope that the little difference we have started seeing will continue,” he said.

In his remarks, Baru commended the vision of Obasanjo in the oil and gas industry assuring that he and his management team are committed to efficiently transforming the NNPC for better performance, growth and profitability.

“We appreciate your call for diversification into agriculture business and other energy sources. We are currently rejuvenating our renewable energy business. We will continue to work hard towards realizing your lofty dreams of seeing NNPC grow into a transformed NOC without interference,”  Baru added.