Mohammed Shosanya
Former Group Managing Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited,have deplored the spate of crude oil theft in the country.
The ex-company’s bosses,who expressed this in a communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting of former NNPC GMDs at the CEO Forum in Abuja,said any attack on crude oil and gas facilities as well as illegal refining are acts of criminality and economic sabotage.
Dr Jackson Gaius Obasek, Chief Chamberlain Oyibo,Engr Funsho Kupolokun,Engr Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua,Engr Austen Oniwon,Engr Andrew Yakubu and Engr Abiye Membere,signed the communique which was made available to Premium News on Saturday.
They maintained that all activities hindering oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria must be sanctioned.
They added:”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”
They expressed their unwavering support for the current leadership of the NNPCL and their commendable efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors.
They 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”,they said.
They commended Mele Kyari as the first Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to implement the Petroleum Industry Act, and noted with satisfaction the progress made with hope that its limitations will be addressed over time.
They acknowledged with satisfaction Kyari’s 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.
They expressed 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”,the communique quoted.
