From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A group under the aegis of the Nineteen-Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM) has described those calling for the sack of the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, as enemies of progress.
According to the group, the call for his sack is not only baseless and biased but also very retrogressive. They cite proactive measures taken to block all possible ways and means to continue the cannibalisation of the Nigerian oil sector as the sole reason for the attacks.
The group, in a statement by its National Chairman, Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said, “It would be suicidal to nurse any negative attempt to unseat Mele Kyari at this crucial time that he is already transforming NNPCL unless the nation is not truly after the economic transformation and revitalisation of NNPC Ltd and Nigeria.
“This is apparently the handiwork of so-called 401 ethnic nationalities leaders sponsored by enemies of Nigeria’s economic transformation and general development, who are also suspected to be working with oil bunkers and their agents.
“We don’t want to believe someone somewhere is nursing an anti-north agenda. We strongly believe this is not President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, having known how much the North rallied around him with massive votes and looking towards 2027 for his re-election, considering the President’s economic, security, and infrastructural developmental drive. A word is enough for the wise.
“The transformational and developmental drive of the oil sector by Mele Kyari, through robust revenue generation, redirection, and scientific upliftment of the Nigerian oil sector, is giving these enemies of Nigeria’s economic boom sleepless nights.
“President Buhari appointed Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC in July 2019, succeeding Maikanti Baru upon his retirement. Since assuming the role, Kyari has implemented numerous reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the corporation.
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“One of Kyariâs major initiatives is the TAPE agenda, which focuses on Transparency, Accountability, Performance, and Excellence.
This agenda seeks to eradicate corruption, bribery, and racketeering within NNPC, transforming it into a reputable oil giant.
“Kyari has also set ambitious goals for the corporation, including raising crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and increasing reserves to 40 billion barrels by 2023. His efforts have already led to significant achievements, such as resolving a longstanding dispute in the Akuku Toru community of Rivers State, which restored 35,000 barrels of oil production per day.
“Under his leadership, the NNPC successfully reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) on Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in November 2019, a project expected to generate over $20 billion in revenue and create over 50,000 jobs. Additionally, Kyari oversaw the commencement of the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, with funding secured from a Chinese bank.
“Kyari has also driven the digitization of NNPCâs operations, reducing human-related operational risks. For instance, the corporation launched software that enables marketers to view inventories across 22 depots in real time, improving decision-making and efficiency.
“In terms of recruitment, Kyari organized a transparent and fair exercise, leading to the employment of 1,050 candidates out of 600,000 applicants. This marked the first publicly advertised recruitment exercise by NNPC since 2012.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyari mobilized stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to raise N21 billion for the Petroleum Industry Intervention Fund, supporting medical interventions across Nigeriaâs six geopolitical zones.
“The creation of the National Assembly has significantly empowered NNPC Limited to ensure Nigeria’s energy security, a critical aspect of national security. This responsibility is particularly crucial during the year-end festivities and beyond, with the NNPC Limited making robust plans to avoid any shortages in petroleum product supplies.
“The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 by the National Assembly has transformed the NNPC into a commercially-oriented National Oil Company governed by the Company & Allied Matters Act (CAMA). This legislative effort has turned NNPC from a loss-making entity, with a loss of N803 billion in 2018, to a profitable organization, declaring a net profit of N674 billion in 2021.
“The leadership of Mele Kyari played a pivotal role in this turnaround, reducing losses dramatically in 2019 and achieving profitability by 2020. The company is now aiming for a profit increase of N2 trillion in its 2022 Audited Financial Statements.
“NNPC Limited’s acquisition of OVH Energy in 2022 and its existing assets have positioned it as a major player in the African energy market. This move has significantly boosted the profitability of its subsidiary, NNPC Retail, to N18.4 billion in the first quarter of this year.
“Addressing challenges like crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, NNPC has adopted advanced surveillance methods similar to those used by Saudi Aramco. The Central Coordination, Data Integration, and Activation Control Room enable real-time monitoring of the Niger Delta’s pipeline networks, enhancing security and increasing crude oil production. This system has already recovered over 22 million litres of stolen crude through improved surveillance and intelligence.
“Therefore, we are requesting, that the transformational government of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to get this people arrested for undermining National Economic development and trying to create bad blood and disharmony between the North, other Nationality and the Government.”
