NNPC appoints 15 new Group General Managers

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Thursday appointed 15 new Group General Managers (GGM) to man some of its divisions.

This was even as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, commiserated with victims of the helicopter crash in Lagos, Wednesday.

The NNPC, in a statement signed by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, disclosed that the appointments was done with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.


The new GGMs, according to the NNPC are: Mr. Mele Kyari, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD); Mr. Ahmadu Sambo, NNPC Oilfield Services; Dr. Surajdeen Bola Afolabi, ITD/SAP; Mr. Zubair Aliyu, NNPC Capital and Mr. Dafe Sejebor, Nigerian Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

Others are: Mrs. Kemi Akitoye, Human Resources Division; Mr. Godwin Okonkwo, Finance; Mr. Bello Rabiu, Corporate Planning Division; Mr. Anibo Kragha, Treasury; and Mr. Dalhatu Makama, Shipping (Nidas & Nikorma).

The rest are: Mr. Samuel Ndukwe, GGM, Power; Mr. Mike Balami, GGM, Accounts; Mr. Yusuf Matashi, GGM, LNG; Mr. Rabiu Suleiman, GGM, Engineering & Technology; and Dr. Olubunmi Oyetunde; GGM, Medical.

The NNPC further stated that its decision to retire 38 of its senior managers was borne out of the need to restructure the organization and also to save cost.

According to the NNPC, the downsizing which saw the exit of all senior managers who were billed to retire between now and December 2016 is also a cost-saving measure.

It said, “The task of restructuring the Corporation into a lean, efficient, and business-focused organization has commenced with Management’s approval of the retirement of thirty-eight senior managers.

“The exercise, apart from gearing the Corporation in the direction of a leaner and more efficient organization, has enormous cost-saving benefits.”

The NNPC had, a couple of days ago, stated that the retirement had helped reduced the number of its top management staff to 83, from 122.

It, however, added that in line with the aspiration to reposition the NNPC, 12 personnel had been recruited from the private sector into the top management cadre to jump-start a new business outlook to enhance the operational environment as a profit-driven business as against the current civil service orientation.

On the issue of the helicopter crash, Kachikwu said he was touched by the sad news of the crash of the helicopter that was ferrying oil workers from an oil installation offshore.

He said, “This is particularly sad for me because it involves workers in the oil industry who were returning home to their families and friends after a period of hard work in the very difficult terrain where most of the operations in the industry are located.

“My heart goes to the victims of the crash and their families. It is my prayer that God should give the departed sweet repose, their families the fortitude and grace to bear the loss, and the lucky survivors, speedy recovery.”