The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has said the national oil company is “under attack” from forces opposed to its ongoing transformation agenda.
Ojulari made the remarks on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.
In a statement posted on the company’s official handle, NNPC Ltd. wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“We Are Under Attack, Ojulari Tells PENGASSAN … As Oil Workers Thumb Up On-going Reforms at NNPC Ltd.”
Ojulari told the union leaders that while resistance to change was expected, the NNPC management would not bow to pressure.
“We are under attack. We will not budge to short-term pressure, as it will not be in the best interest of Nigerians. You cannot drive change without a price, and the transformation is tough,” he declared.
He stressed that patience will be required from Nigerians to reap the benefits of reforms and reiterated his commitment to the mandate given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ojulari said his team, in office for about five months, had prioritised reviving Nigeria’s refineries through an Incorporated Joint Venture (IJV) model.
“Mr. President doesn’t pressure me to do the wrong thing. That is why we are looking at the baseline to ensure whatever we are doing, the refineries work sustainably going forward. We don’t want to pretend and just do some quick fix because there is pressure on us,” he explained.
He also expressed gratitude to the union for its solidarity during what he described as testing times.
“I am overwhelmed with the support from the union executives present here. The enemies of this company and Nigerians will not win,” Ojulari assured.
On his part, PENGASSAN President Comrade Festus Osifo praised the milestones recorded under the GCEO’s watch, particularly in curbing oil theft and improving production.
“Our pipelines are now working. Also, crude oil theft has significantly reduced, leading to increased production. As PENGASSAN, we assure you that we are solidly behind you. We will work with you and collaborate with your team to ensure the stability of the system for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Osifo said.
Boluwatife Enome
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