By Moses Patience Chat
The Nigeriain National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed all allegations made against the company by Sahara Reporters in regards to inappropriate appointment of heads in the Group.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of
NNPC Limited, Garba Deen Muhammad, on Wednesday.
“Our attention is drawn to the malicious publication by Sahara Reporters alleging inappropriateness of the disengagement of the Group Managing Director (GMD), Mallam Mele Kyari, and Group Executive Director (GED) F&A, Mr. Umar Ajiya, from the services of the old Corporation and their subsequent appointment by Mr. President to commence new tenures as Group CEO and CFO in the new NNPC Limited.
“The general public may recall the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act and the successful transition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to a commercially driven National Energy Company, the NNPC Limited.
“The PIA 2021, has in addition to the creation of NNPC limited made clear and unambiguous provisions relating to Governance, Administration, and the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Board of Directors by Mr. President,” the statement read in part.
It further read that “the PIA 2021 is deliberate about the long term sustainability of the 20 years long petroleum industry reform that climaxed in the creation of NNPC Limited as a commercially driven National Energy Company, with focus on sustainable value creation.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, appointment of the CEO and CFO of NNPC Limited by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is on the basis of distinct terms and conditions of Service including tenure, employment benefits and termination. The appointment of CEO and CFO is not a career posting as erroneously presented by Sahara Reporters.
“Consequently, by virtue of the appointments of Mallam Mele Kyari and Mr. Umar Ajiya as NNPC Limited Group CEO and CFO respectively by Mr President for a tenure of five years each with effect from 16 September 2021 has ended their employment with the Corporation and are thus entitled to their terminal benefits in respect thereof. Based on the provisions of the Act, the new tenured roles they assumed with NNPC Limited cannot be regarded as continuance of their previous positions in the defunct Corporation.
“It is therefore our belief that the informed general public will disregard the misinformation and misrepresentation of facts published by Sahara Reporters. NNPC compensation does not pay gratuity into billions and we are a compliant organisation that is committed to delivering greater value to Nigerians in strict compliance with extant laws and circulars.”
“The Group CEO and the CFO have demonstrated patriotism by ending their career appointments with the Corporation to serve the nation on five years tenured appointment in NNPC Limited.
“The general public is therefore advised to disregard the spurious and malicious publications while the company will take necessary legal steps to seek redress.”