The statement continues, “But these challenges are fast becoming a thing of the past with the introduction and implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, the rejuvenating of the business landscape, and the repositioning of NNPC Limited to adopt a more commercial approach to the management of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources.
Integrity Youth Alliance has said that the accusation by the Christian Youth Forum of Nigeria against the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, of enriching himself and his cronies at the expense of the suffering masses is baseless, unsubstantiated, and ungodly.
Reacting to the statement, the Board Chairman of the Integrity Youth Alliance, Comrade Adewole Kehinde, said that it is unfortunate that some so-called overnight “Reverend” could allege that Kyari’s tenure has been marked by controversy, including subsidy scams, importation of substandard petroleum products, and mismanagement of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The statement reads, “We wish to enlighten the ignorance of the Christian Youth Forum of Nigeria that through good administration and transparent management exhibited by Mele Kyari, the NNPC Limited is rightly and timely making progress and is working for the country at the minimum possible cost.
“Kyari had successfully put in place some far-reaching decisions, resulting in a significant turnaround that led the company to, in September 2023, record its highest crude oil and condensate output.
“So far, the company’s production has reached about 1.7 million barrels a day, which, of course, became the beginning of the nation’s production rebound after many years of underproduction.
“The lingering conflict between Russia and Ukraine, along with the Covid-19 pandemic, posed a major challenge. These international crises adversely affected the nation’s crude production, thereby reducing its inflow into international markets.”
“These developments have impacted so much on the Nigerian crude oil inflows in the international oil market, leading to a dip in demand from the once-dependable Asian market at the onset of hostilities in the Eastern bloc.
The statement continues, “But these challenges are fast becoming a thing of the past with the introduction and implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, the rejuvenating of the business landscape, and the repositioning of NNPC Limited to adopt a more commercial approach to the management of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources.
“All these and many more measures were put in place as a result of Kyari’s profer insight. NNPC Limited is now robust. It has secured vital partnerships with notable financial institutions to promote upstream investments to restore and sustainably grow production capacity in the coming years.
“The company is equally championing concerted efforts in partnership with host communities and private stakeholders to address the security and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta to further fortify production growth.
“Nigeria has already begun seeing significant progress on the rebound, as Kyari has demonstrated proficient leadership and initiated far-reaching measures that were in tandem with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, which continue to upscale the company’s activities and turn around its production level.
“An organisation that was once regarded as moribund because of its underperformance suddenly became a cornerstone for the nation’s economic growth, with greater prospects and an efficient outlook.
“Kyari had successfully made its operations highly efficient with verifiable financial forecasts; organised work and is being operated efficiently properly and sensibly.
“It is unfortunate that this emergency Christian Youth Forum that couldn’t come out when many Christians were slaughtered in Benue, Zamfara, Katsina, etc. is today warning that Nigeria would witness the worst protests in the days ahead if Kyari did not resign or is not sacked by the authorities concerned.
“We wish to remind the so-called Christian Youth Forum that Kyari’s transparent approach to the company has helped in achieving the objectives and vision of the organisation with improved accountability and responsibilities in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
Despite the various challenges of production, environmental degradation, and sabotage, Kyari has shown real and effective leadership in the management of the company, making it brace up for a greater future.
“Kyari’s effectiveness, honesty, and transparency are the key strengths that are working for him, as he fixed eyes on the management of NNPCL to achieve the desired targets in line with the PIA objectives.
“He has created a positive environment for workers to perform better, a development that has attracted the Niger State Government to sign a memorandum of understanding with the company on renewable energy.
“His empathy, self-management, and time management skills, as well as his emotional intelligence and creative problem solving, have been working for the company, thereby repositioning it to attain greater heights shortly.
“It is only those who want the President Tinubu administration to fail that will call for the sack of a formidable management team at the NNPC Limited, the statement concluded.
Signed
Danjuma Lamido
Publicity Secretary
Integrity Youth Alliance