PANDEF welcomes reconstitution of NNPC Board, but a mere scratch of surface problem

By Ken Robinson 

Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, welcomes the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, by President Muhammadu Buhari with cautious considerations. As the move by Mr. President could be considered mere scratching of the surface of the problem.

The major concern of the Niger Delta Region is the skewed composition of the Executive management of the NNPC, and appointment of Chief Executives of the Corporation’s Subsidiaries. It is simply abhorrent that the Group Managing Director, GMD, the Chief Finance Officer, Finance & Account, the Corporate Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Corporation, and Chief Executives of virtually all strategic divisions and subsidiaries of the NNPC are persons from the Northern zones of the country.

We would, therefore, urge Mr. President to further, carry out a holistic rejigging of the lopsided NNPC management structure, and correct the imbalances, in the interest of equity, fairness, peace and national cohesion.

It is significant to recall that the position of Group Managing Director of the NNPC was traditionally and rightly, reserved for persons from the South South Geopolitical zone, which produces about 95% of the nation’s crude extraction. It won’t be out of place, therefore, to ask for the restoration of that tradition.

PANDEF however notes that the latest NNPC Board composition as announced by the presidency, shows a departure from the 2016 Board arrangement, which had no representation from the South-East zone, an oil producing zone, and to that extent, therefore, commendable.

PANDEF further implores those, particularly from the Niger Delta Region, newly appointed to the Board of the NNPC, to shun partisan and miniature interests in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.

Signed:

Hon. Ken Robinson
National Publicity Secretary
Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF
30th May, 2020