President Muhamadu Buhari has approved new group general managers to manage some of the divisions of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
This is coming as the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, explained that the task of restructuring the national oil firm into a lean, efficient, and business-focused organisation warranted the management’s approval to retire 38 senior managers in the company.
Kachikwu explained that the downsizing which saw the exit of all senior managers who were billed to retire between now and December 2016, was also a cost-saving measure.
On Tuesday evening, Buhari fired the senior managers, approved four directorates for the corporation and allowed the NNPC to recruit 12 private sector personnel into the top management cadre to jump-start a new business outlook that would enhance the operational environment as a profit-driven business in contrast to its current civil service orientation.
The GMD stated that the trimming down exercise, apart from gearing the corporation in the direction of a leaner and more efficient organisation, had enormous cost-saving benefits.
Kachikwu outlined some of the new GGMs to include Mr. Mele Kyari, Crude Oil Marketing Division; Mr. Ahmadu Sambo, NNPC Oilfield Services; Dr. Surajdeen Afolabi, Information Technology Division/SAP; Mr. Zubair Aliyu, NNPC Capital; and Mr. Dafe Sejebor, Nigerian Petroleum Investment Management Services.
They also include 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 restructuring at the NNPC started last week Tuesday after President Buhari fired the former GMD, Dr. Joseph Dawha, and replaced him with Kachikwu.
A day later, the President sacked the firm’s eight group executive directors but announced no replacement, although our correspondent reported that the eight departments were trimmed to four.
The restructuring continued on Friday as Kachikwu redeployed the Group General Manager, Crude Oil and Marketing Division, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, and replaced him with Mr. Musa Usman, who served briefly in acting capacity.
About two weeks ago, President Buhari declared a strong stance to fix Nigeria’s oil sector, rid the industry of rot and probe monies stolen by operators in the sector.
The President had in late June dissolved the NNPC board.
