Twenty-Four Hours After Winning THE WHISTLER Transparency Award, Tinubu Says Kyari ‘Doing Very Well’

– Asks New Board To Prioritise Welfare Of Niger Delta

At the inauguration of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Monday, President Bola Tinubu urged the new members to “immediately get to work,” while commending the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari for hard work.

Tinubu, however, warned members of the NNPCL board against non-performance and entitlement, saying the board would be dissolved without notice if it fails to meet expectations.

“The challenge is corporate governance. Yes, we will improve the security situation. We are working very hard. Sincerely, the Chief Executive Officer, Kyari, is doing very well, and doing all that I know.

“But you could be suddenly dissolved if there is no sustained excellence in performance. It is my honour to inaugurate this Board, which has people of great integrity. I am honoured that we are doing this. I recognize all of you,’’ he said.

President Tinubu also highlighted the extreme environmental damage the Niger Delta has endured from decades of oil operations, saying corporate social responsibility for the region must be given special attention.

“Niger Delta must be seen as the goose that lays the golden egg, and we must treat that region with the deserved respect and care. It is not asking for too much to ensure quality and constant water supply, schools, medical facilities, and roads.

“It is not about us. It is about the well-being of the entire country and the lifeblood of the nation. We should care more about the environment. We will do more for security to minimise stealing and vandalisation,’’ Tinubu’s Chief Press Secretary, Ajuri Ngelale, quoted him as saying at the inauguration.

According to Ngelale, President Tinubu further directed the NNPCL Board to prioritise the nation’s transition to cleaner natural gas energy while addressing the persistent issues of oil theft, pipeline sabotage, and production declines.

“We need to show that we are committed to the welfare of our country.

“Take a look at the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and know what the pitfalls are. The Cabinet members and Board should decide what we can do differently for production increase, profitability, and governance. It is in your hands. I will work with you,’’ he said.

The Chairman of the Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, commended the President for the removal of petrol subsidy noting that the nation would have drowned in debt if not for his decisiveness.

“Our focus is to increase production. We must address the problem of stealing and pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta. We are aware of the efforts in the past, but we will do more,’’ said Akinyelure.