Opinion
Stop Distracting Mele Kyari
Recently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and it’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mallam Mele Kyari, have come under series of attacks from different faceless groups and individuals.
The attacks, from sponsored opinion articles, news reports, paid adverts, and editorials among others, aimed at painting the National Oil Company and it’s top management executive led by Kyari in bad light, have been consistent, as well as vicious.
The sole purpose of these sponsored campaigns of calumny, against the NNPC and it’s top management team, is to reset President Bola Tinubu, (who is the Minister of Petroleum Resources), to disengage Mallam Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer and replace him with someone who will do the biddings of the oil cabals.
These developments have clearly shown that, corrupt individuals and groups in the oil industry, who hitherto have enriched themselves to the detriment of the nation, are not comfortable with the positive reforms the GCEO has put in place to revamp the oil and gas industry since his assumption of office about four years ago.
Bearing in mind the Nigerian factor, these scenarios have fundamentally put Kyari on the spot. The fact that, Kyari’s appointment is a game-changer, with a clear mission – to revitalize the struggling corporation, is being interpreted by these saboteurs as a challenge to them and an affront to their unethical means of robbing the country and her over 200 million citizensNigerians of the right to their common wealth.
Despite the numerous challenges be-deviling the sector, Kyari has grown crude oil production to an enviable level of 1.7 million bpd of crude oil and condensate combined as at September 2023.
According to the fourth quarter of 2022 figures released, Nigeria has regained its position as the largest crude oil producer in Africa, ahead of Algeria’s 1.021 million barrels/day and Angola’s 1.088mb/d in November 2022.
With oil theft and pipeline vandalism overwhelming Nigeria’s oil business in recent weeks, the NNPC Ltd, under the leadership of Mallam Mele Kyari, adopted the Saudi Aramco’s model of using video surveillance to monitor its pipelines carrying crude oil from wells to flow stations in the Niger Delta region.
The NNPCL in collaboration with security agencies, has also put up a Control Centre, to provide surveillance of all the country’s oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.
The surveillance system, known as the Central Coordination, Data Integration and Activation Control Room, just like the Saudi Aramco, uses video visibility to monitor the country’s Niger Delta pipeline networks, where more than 90 percent of the country’s crude is explored. Through the Data Control Centre, the NNPC, has the capability to see and monitor the movement of vessels in the coast of Nigeria’s territorial waters in real time.
From the facility, officials of the NNPCL, working with operatives of the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, can determine, in real time, if a vessel is carrying out operations within Nigeria’s coastal waters legally.
Beyond arresting crude oil thieves and shutting down illegal refineries, the NNPCL under his leadership, has expanded the frontiers for crude oil production. One of the most impressive accomplishments of Kyari’s stewardship at NNPCL, was the flag-off of the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi State in November 2022. This marked the first ever, commencement of effort to commercially exploit oil in the Northern part of Nigeria.
The OPL 809 and 810, which lies in the Gongola Basin of the Upper Benue Trough, straddling Bauchi and Gombe States, seen as one of the most massive projects as the Kolmani Oil Field, is estimated to have a reserve of about one billion barrels of crude oil.
The project will enable the country to transport two billion standard cubic feet of natural gas daily to power plants in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and various gas-based industries, thus, boosting the nation’s socio-economic growth.
It is instructive to note that, the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, which transitioned the NNPC into NNPC Limited, being a CAMA company, has enabled the National Oil Conglomerate, to have a very strong governance structure that cannot be manipulated.
NNPC Limited currently, strictly operates under three principles of profitability, energy transition, and sustainability drive for its survival..
This template has been strictly exhibited and adhered to by Kyari, through deeply innovative commitment to the highest standards of transparency and global best practices in all its activities, including its contracting process. As at now, contracts are being awarded based on rigorous evaluation criteria and in line with industry norms.
To ensure compliance to Due Process, the NNPC has subjected the selection process to a competitive tender guided by Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) standards, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission expertise, and the active involvement of a Transaction Advisor.
The contract bidding process also has representations from NEITI and the Ministry of Justice in the project development team and the evaluation exercise.
These contracts are on the terms of Build, Operate and Transfer agreements. Selected partners are to finance the rehabilitation, as the contracts do not entail the transfer of control of these assets to any particular company.
The NNPC’s objective is to enhance the integrity and functionality of the pipelines to facilitate the efficient transportation of crude oil to refineries and the distribution of its products across the country.
The terms of these contracts of strategic national assets clearly stipulates that ownership remains with NNPC Limited and would be operated in the interest of over the 200 million Nigerians.
Arguably, the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), in August 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has opened up significant changes as it gave birth to the new, refreshed, and rejuvenated NNPCL. With the PIA in place, the company now operates like any private company in Nigeria.
In September 2022, NNPCL sealed the acquisition of OVH Energy, making it to add to its assets reception jetty of 240,000MT monthly capacity, 8 LPG Plants, 3 Lubes Blending Plants, 3 Aviation Depots, and 12 warehouses. Also, Oando’s 380 fueling stations were added to NNPC’s existing stations, making it the largest in Africa. Through the deal, NNPC leveraged Oando’s coverage across Africa to become a leading energy company.
The acquisition, under the leadership of the GCEO, Mele Kyari, shows his vision has transformed the company to a force to be reckoned with in the global energy market.
The acquisition of OVH Energy in 2022 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has boosted the profitability of one of its subsidiaries, NNPC Retail to N18.4bn in the first three months of this year.
The acquisition of OVH, has boosted the profit margin of NNPC Retail which has jumped astronomically. For instance, in 2021 before the acquisition, NNPC Retail made N6.93bn profit. This has now jumped to N18.4bn in the first quarter of the year.
Not to mention that, the NNPCL under Kyari, in June this year, sealed another deal with four National Oil Companies on the $25bn Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project
These MoUs were successively signed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) of Morocco on one hand, and the Société Nationale des Opérations Pétrolières of Cote d’Ivoire (PETROCI), the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures of Benin (SNH-Benin), and the Société Nationale des Pétroles of the Republic of Guinea (SONAP) on the other hand.
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project, executed in 2017, was initiated between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco during the of King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Nigeria in December 2016.
Once completed, the project will boost the monetization of the natural gas resources of the affected African countries, while also offer a new alternative export route to Europe.
This is an important milestone in the quest to tackle energy poverty that has been limiting the potential of the African continent for industrialisation.
As a commercial enterprise, the NNPCL, under the eagle’s eye of Mele Kyari, sees this project as an opportunity to monetize Nigeria’s abundant hydrocarbon resources. This he intends to achieve through expansion access to energy to support economic growth, industrialization, and job creation across the African continent and beyond.
Another monumental achievement of the GCEO, was securing a $7bn fresh investments from India for Nigeria’s petrochemical industry for Nigeria’s petrochemical industry during the G20 summit which was held from September 9 to 10 in New Delhi, the Indian capital, attended by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
The visit was on attracting investments to Nigeria, with lucrative opportunities for investors, but most importantly, jobs for Nigerians and new revenue opportunities for the country.
Recall that India is one of the growing markets for Nigeria’s Liquified Natural Gas and through this deal, the government will be able to create job opportunities for Nigerians.
In the area of gas infrastructure, Kyari also led the NNPCL to achieve a $300 million reduction in the cost of the AKK Gas Pipeline contract, via contract renegotiation from the initial $2.8 billion.
In December 2019, Kyari achieved the close-out of the Final Investment Decision of the multi-billion-dollar NLNG Train 7 Project. This project has been the drawing board for over a decade, during the Covid-19 which took the its toll on the global economy.
He also successfully re-negotiated the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK), Gas Pipeline contract; an integral part of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP), with a capacity to transport about 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day. The contract was renegotiated from the initial $2.8bin to $2.5bn, achieving cost savings of $300m in favour of the Nigerian government. Construction work on the project was flagged-off in June 2020.
He also led the signing of a $260m Financing Agreement for the Assa-North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Project with Seplat, to deliver 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and 1,200 megawatts of electricity to the domestic market.
Shortly after the removal of fuel subsidy and in line with the directive of President Tinubu, to provide alternative fuel option, the NNPCL led by Kyari entered into partnership with NIPCO Gas Limited, to develop Compressed Natural Gas stations across the country.
The move is part of the NNPCL’s commitment to reducing carbon footprint and providing cheaper alternative fuel to motorists. The current initiative is in addition to the phased deployment of 56 CNG stations planned by NNPC Retail across the country.
This landmark collaboration aims to expand the country’s CNG infrastructure, improve access to CNG, and accelerate the adoption of cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel for buses, cars and Keke NAPEP. This is to significantly reduce the cost of transportation and engender sustainable national economic growth.
The first phase, comprising 21 CNG stations, will support intra-city transportation and will be ready by the first quarter of 2024, while the second phase, comprising 35 CNG stations, is to support inter-city transformation and will be ready by the first quarter of 2025.
Under the NNPC-NIPCO strategic partnership, 35 state-of-the-art CNG stations will be constructed nationwide, including three Mother stations. Once fully operational, the stations can service over 200,000 vehicles daily, and significantly reducing carbon emissions and associated impact on climate.
Those criticizing Kyari for non- functionality of the refineries do not have their facts right. In the first place, since the era of Gen Sani Abacha Junta up to Former president Olusegun Obasanjo tenure, the refineries were lying fallow. It was former president Muhammadu Buhari, that secured a PPP contract with DAEWOO, a South Korea firm, for the rehabilitation of the refineries before he left office.
Mele Kyari is working round the clock on the nation’s refineries based on the contract terms, and the Port Harcourt refinery is about 98% completed.
We know those and those like them, who ran away terrified and wet their pants backstage when the going gets tough. We know the factors relating to these blackmail misadventures by some disgruntled disengaged NNPCL top management staff and those who lost out at the pipeline surveillance contract.
There are about 200 million Nigerians and it is impossible for all of us to secure the pipeline surveillance contract. We appeal to those who lost out in that venture, to seek for other opportunities that are so many in the country.
Those who might have lost out, should not allow their grievances to becloud their sense of reasoning to the extent, they become distractions to the GCEO while performing these critical responsibilities to the nation.
It is not in doubt that Mallam Mele Kyari’s giant strides, positive contributions and focused leadership, in the oil and gas sector these four years is too numerous to mention. This is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reposes so much confidence in him.
Those scheming to bring him down, through cheap blackmail will fail. They will not only fail, but will meet failure awaiting them at the gate of success. Instead of these rumblings, we solicit for all well – meaning Nigerians to rally round Mele Kyari, so that together, we can witness the re- birth of a new NNPCL that offers job opportunities to our teeming unemployed youth, boost our GDP and enhance the economic status of our beloved country.
ENGR.DR.KAILANI MUHAMMAD,
former NNPC Workers representatives
Writes in from Kaduna
There is something common in politics and with Politicians in this clime, it stems from the arrogance of power, it stinks to high heavens, it is shit in its worst form; that a few men and women play God, they assume that their egocentric predilections represent the collective will, and they undermine the Law as well as the mindset of the electorate. They move to Party B with the mandate given to Party A by the People. And they Cross-carpet or decamp to another Party without deference to the provisions of the Law.
Just yesterday the entire Political Structure in my home State of Delta was led by the State Governor Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressive Congress APC, that tsunami of sorts happened without firm reasons but the usual refrain that ‘they want to align with the centre for more democratic dividends to come to the State’. I wouldn’t have opted to do this piece had the All Progressive Congress APC made great feats of the States under its watch, alas President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) and his followers are masters of deceit, subterfuge and perfidy. They spew soulless propaganda, having no soul they lack moral margins, they lie about everything and they destroy the moral fabrics of our nation. They are shameless, spineless and have no scruples.
Where is the Soul of the men of power who dumped the PDP just yesterday for the APC in Delta State? They have chosen to stand on a Blood Stained Mandate. They have elected a Hunger ridden mandate. They have chosen a corruption riddled mandate. They laud an insecurity enabling mandate. They salute a nepotistic mandate. And they dance to a frustration festering mandate. Had the PBAT led APC at the Centre made Nigeria better than it met her, I would applaud Governor Sheriff and his fellow travelers, but the truth is what consistently the APC, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his men have chosen to trample upon, nay the Truth is that under the PBAT led APC Government, Nigeria is today worse than it was yesterday.
What logic situates the movement of the Delta State Political Structures from the PDP to the APC at a time when Nigerians feel the most unsafe in their homeland? When the States of Plateau, Benue and Bornu have become theatres of human barbecues. Is it not stupidity to elect a blood stained and a blood soaked mandate over being in a Party in the opposition?
Is it not a show of shame to elect a mandate that has left the masses of the people in poverty, despondency and want over fueling the fervour of an opposition seeking a new deal and a new Republic of hope for the people? Which sincere and people oriented leader would dump the opposition for a Party that is absolutely rudderless and progressively multiplying poverty? Only the soulless and the shameless, surely.
The fulminating shenanigans that undermine the monstrous corruption of the APC Government, the unending Infrastructural decay, the unhinged failure of the energy and the power sector, the pervasive hunger, disease and pain in the land, and the murderous gangs killing and maiming citizens with reckless abandon defines the Olympic soullessness of the Delta State Political Merchants who have elected a Blood Stained Mandate over matching for the redemption of Nigeria.
I believe that it is manifest stupidity to desert the opposition at a time that our nation is in dire straits and badly craving vibrant opposition. I believe that it is a show of shame to decamp to a Party and a Government that has failed to protect lives and property.
And I hereby lampoon with unbridled vehemence all those who have chosen to stand on the blood stained and blood soaked mandate that PBAT epitomizes.
Hmmm, so suddenly my home State is now APC, interesting. A class of less than 300 people nay ‘leaders’ met at the Government House in Asaba, and in one fell swoop changed the political colour, temperature and identity of the State, interesting. My People, this One-Party State wey APC and PBAT dey push and pursue na to what end? PBAT and his Party the APC through this manifest antics of State capture have tied democracy to the stake, and are daily through acts of impunity, lawlessness, and braggadocio shooting violently at democracy, I pray they do not shoot this jingleover democracy to death. I pray that they understand that One Party State is the precursor to Authoritarian Rule and Dictatorship. And I pray that they are not oblivious of the politico-social tendencies of the Nigerian State, a State that cannot and has never been captured by any one tendency. In any case, before they completely murder democracy, it must be on record that someone warned against the Stupidity, against the Show of Shame and against the Shenanigans of our Political Operators.
Call me names, but let it be on record that when the elders and the hoard of egotistic political merchants that predominate our political kaleidoscope fiddled with the poisoned chalice of sycophancy and hypocrisy, I wasn’t quiet. Let it be on record that when they ate poisoned bread baked with blood stained and blood soaked mandate, and when they chose to dance on the tombs of the dead across our space who were unlived because government failed to protect them, that someone called out the discerning, and warned against the omnious times that they make certain.
The sequel to this patriotic effort shall most certainly tell more, reveal more and foretell the pitfalls that a most arrogant and self-seeking political class weave in the path of our ‘democracy’. We have got some difficult days and difficult times ahead.
Call me the Wailer, that’s ok, for I Wail that Nigeria may become Great.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
It was the famous American former President, Abraham Lincoln who noted that the people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust.
Thus, when the trust level gets high enough, people exceed apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were formerly unaware.
When trust is placed on those who occupy public office, they need to work had to continue to justify the trust in the people they preside over.Appointment into office is premised on the facts that the appointee is capable and will be of immense values to the realization of the aspirations of the government in power.
Thus, with the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into office, series of strategic appointment of respected and credible niger9ians were made thereafter.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had the qualities of appointing the right people in the right position, having judged their qualification and capabilities. This is a unique ability which good leaders to possess in abundance.
It was this sense of judgement that made him to appoint Chief Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola CON as the current minister of Marine and Blue Economy.He was the former chief of Staff to the former Governor of Osun State and later became the governor of the state.
Whereby he displayed integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. This role allowed him to exhibit his administrative shrewdness and dedication to the advancement of the state.
During this time, he played a critical role in implementing policies and initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure.He was later appointed minister of transportation by President Bola Tinubu on 16 August 2023, but redeployed four days later to the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Despite the newness of the ministry, his leadership abilities and acumen as well as his professional qualification eminently qualifies him for the arduous job, for he pursued his education with diligence, earning a degree in Applied Accounting from the prestigious University of Lagos.
With a passion for learning and a keen eye for effective management, he embarked on a career that would see him excel in various sectors.
According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”
European Commission defines it as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts, the realization that Nigeria has vast ocean ecosystem justifies the creation of the ministry.
The ministry’s four action pillars for its first four years (2023–2027) are: promoting sustainable blue economy investments; transforming port operations; enhancing port infrastructure; and strengthening blue governance.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, the ministry targets attracting $2 billion in investments in offshore renewable energy by 2025; establishing at least five new fish processing plants by 2025 and at least two new coastal tourism sites by 2026; and creating three million marine and blue economy-related jobs by 2027.
The importance of this ministry lies in the fact that the life of the planet and correct functioning of ecosystem services are sustained by marine ecosystems.
The blue economy thus has the potential to achieve a sustainable development which does not compromise life on Earth tomorrow.
Thus, his appointment eminently justifies and in line with the aspiration s to make Nigeria a great nation.His achievements in office are attributed to maritime security and safety, port operational efficiency, infrastructure rehabilitation, connectivity and blue economy development.
The Minister, who unfolds the strategic plans of the Ministry and the Agencies which would focus on maritime security, safety, ship building & maintenance, maritime governance, port infrastructure rehabilitation, capacity building, among others.
Under his leadership, the Nigeria’s territorial waters became safer especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) in the past one year, with the maritime sector recorded zero incidence of piracy and maritime terrorism for more than one year.
Ports were upgraded and his ministry worked assiduously to actualize the implementation of the National Single Window at the nation’s ports to facilitate trade and competitiveness of country’s port system.
The value his outstanding leadership will also impact on the acceptability and reelection of the present administration in 2027.
We Commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the confidence reposed in and the subsequent Appointment of Chief Gboyega Oyetola as the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy.
He is honest and transparent in his stronger determination to reposition the sector as the leading source of revenue to the country and will surely do more based on his past robust antecedents. We thus call on all Nigerians to support his vision and pragmatic leadership in the office, so as to enable impact the lives of many more citizens of the country.
Dr K.M.Tugga is an Abuja resident and public affairs commentator
By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap
The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.
It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?
The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.
I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.
This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?
Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?
When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?
If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.