Former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have expressed their support for the current leadership and commended the progress made in advancing the company’s strategic objectives.

They urged security agencies to end oil theft and pipeline vandalism, and called for sanctions on those involved.

The former GMDs in a Communique issued at the end of their meeting said:
“We, the former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of NNPC, express our unwavering support for the current leadership and their commendable efforts in advancing the company’s strategic objectives across key sectors,” the former GMDs said in a statement.

The meeting of the CEO Forum hosted by NNPC in Abuja, brought together former GMDs, including Dr. Jackson Gaius Obaseki, Chief Chamberlain Oyibo, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Engr. Abubakar Lawal Yar’adua, Engr. Austen Oniwon, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, and Engr. Abiye Membere (former GED Upstream)

The former GMDs commended the current Group CEO, Mele Kyari, for his efforts in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying, “We commend Mele Kyari as the first Group CEO to implement the PIA, and noted with satisfaction the progress made with hope that its limitations will be addressed over time.”

They also expressed satisfaction with the continuation of the policy on recruitment, which considers diversity, inclusion, and performance-based career progression, noting that “the policy on recruitment takes into consideration the principles of diversity and inclusion as well as performance-based career progression via a transparent process.”

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However, they noted that limited information is available to the public on NNPC’s operations since its transition to a private commercial entity, leading to misleading commentary.

“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,” they said.

The former GMDs empathized with the management team over the challenges faced in onshore operations, including illegal refineries and connections, and reiterated that any attack on crude oil and gas facilities is criminal and economic sabotage. “Any attack on crude oil and gas facilities as well as illegal refining are acts of criminality and economic sabotage,” they declared.

They appreciated the provisions made in the PIA for host communities’ development and sustainable funding and urged government security agencies to ensure the stoppage of crude oil theft, illegal refining, and pipeline vandalism.

“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,” they said.