PRESS STATEMENT

The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) profoundly felicitates with Mele Kyari on his career elevation and appointment as Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).

NUPENG as a key stakeholder that plays pivotal role in the country’s Oil and Gas value chain uses this veritable medium to sincerely wish Mr. Kyari success in this new, crucial and challenging responsibility.

We equally salute President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for his excellent choice of putting people with good pedigree, discipline, competence and high moral standard to superintend over sensitive positions with the capacity to drive our economy in positive direction.

NUPENG believes that the appointment is well deserved, considering Mele Kyari’s proven rectitude, accountability, personal accomplishments and excellent service in NNPC over the years as we can also attest to his solid track records and rich indelible experience, hoping that he would bring professionalism and true leadership to bear in managing this integral part of our country’s economy.

We sincerely wish that he will equally harness his experiences from previous offices, with dexterity to curb leakages, ensure peace in the entire industry both administratively and operationally.

We congratulate this silent achiever with class and finesse.

Meanwhile, NUPENG also wishes the former GMD, Dr Maikanti Baru well, as he finally bowed out from the corporation ceremoniously. We equally thank him most profoundly for engendering hospitable and excellent symbiotic relationship with us as an organization.

NUPENG will not forget so quickly when Dr Baru was appointed in 2016, he inherited a corporation in decay and in dire need of a new direction, and the global oil and gas industry isn’t disappointed as he impressively demonstrated uncommon determination to steer new and refreshing course for NNPC.

In line with the anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration, Baru unveiled a well thought out initiatives to reinvigorate the Corporation. To his credit, he created an all-inclusive internal advisory council on security comprising representatives from NNPC, the IOCs, the Unions and security operatives to brainstorm and address host community agitations, implementation of new business models to grant needed autonomy to the strategic business units and autonomous business units within the corporation, provision of directions and control to ensure their growth and profitability, etc.

These amazing legacies that are worthy of emulation which he left behind will never be forgotten by all stakeholders. We therefore have no doubt in our minds that he will continue to excel and do Nigeria proud in any future capacity he finds himself.

Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong.

JOINTLY SIGNED BY:

COMRADE WILLIAMS AKPOREHA,

NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUPENG

COMRADE OLAWALE AFOLABI,

GENERAL SECRETARY OF NUPENG.