The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is facing heat over its information-sharing practices as former group managing directors have said the company has limited information made available to the public about its operations.
According to former group managing directors, Chamberlain Oyibo, Jackson Gaius–Obaseki, Funsho Kupolokun, Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua, Austen Oniwon, Andrew Yakubu and Abiye Membere with the senior management staff, the limited information about the company led to what they termed misleading commentaries about the activities of the energy company.
“We noted that limited information is in the public domain on NNPC’s operations since the 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,” the communique stated.
The past GMDs expressed their “unwavering support” for the current leadership of the NNPC and their efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors.
“We obtained insights into NNPC’s business activities in the context of global energy industry dynamics, strategic aspirations and operational updates. In particular, the 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 the 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,” the communique partly read.
The ex-NNPC bosses expressed their satisfaction with the achievements recorded and encouraged the management team to continue advancing strategies to improve operations, grow portfolios, and manage talent.
They expressed satisfaction over the continuation of the policy on recruitment which they said takes into consideration, the principles of diversity and inclusion as well as performance-based career progression via a transparent process.
On oil theft, the elders empathised with the NNPC management team over the state of onshore operations with over 7,000 illegal refineries destroyed and over 5,000 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,” the communique added.
