NNPC confirms reorganisation of top management, justifies action

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, yesterday approved reorganisation of the corporation’s top management, in which over 50 senior personnel were either redeployed or replaced.

Apart from removing Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Yusuf Matashi, and replacing him with the Senior Technical Assistant to GMD, Usman Yusuf, the shake-up affected its subsidiaries such as the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMA), Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, insisted that the exercise was normal replacement and backfill exercise to bridge the gap occasioned by imminent retirement of some management staff, among others.

In a statement, Ughamadu noted that the exercise involved statutory retirement of 11 senior management staff and redeployment of 19 others, saying such replacements were always effected before the exit of the concerned staff.

He added that all together, 30 senior staff members were affected by retirements and redeployments.

Those retiring between May 1 and July 31 this year are: General Manager, Chad Basin, Aniya Francis Umaru; Adewale Solomon Ladenegan, Managing Director, KRPC and Group General Manager, NNPC Leadership Academy, Musa Sulyman Gimba.

Others are: Umma Ayuba Musa, General Manager, HR & Admin Services, Duke Oil; Emmanuel–Ate Mariagoretti Ndidi, General Manager, Support Services, NGC; Tsavnande Thaddeaus Atighir, Executive Director, Operations; Okor Ovieghara, General Manager, Upstream/Technical Adviser to GMD; Barau Mohammed Kabir, Managing Director, NGMC; Dawaki Salihi Abubakar, General Manager NLNG, LIMS; Ibrahim Aminu Bagudu, Executive Director, ETSD, NPDC and Yusuf Shimingah Matashi.

The 19 redeployed staff are: Anas Mustapha Mohammed, Usman Faruk, Ali Muhammed Sarki, Osarolube Ezekiel, Ihya Aondoaver Mson, Isah Abubakar Lapal, Umar Hamza Ado, Garba Adamu Kaita, Ossai Uche, Usman Umar, Ehizoje Tunde Ighodaro, Ahmed Mohammed Abdulkabir and Lere Isa Aliyu.

Others are: Richard-Obioha Maryrose Nkemegina, Dikko Ahmed, Ibrahim Sarafa Ayobami, Usman Yusuf, Sambo Mansur Sadiq and Buggu Louis Tizhe.

Ughamadu said it was usual for the NNPC to obtain necessary approvals on replacements of retiring staff ahead of schedule, saying this was the case with the recent exercise that takes effect as at when the retiring staff members depart at various times within the period.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operations in achieving the corporation’s mandate, adding that extant corporate guidelines were strictly followed in the process.

He advised members of the public to disregard the insinuation that some staff members of the corporation were relieved of their duties, saying the deployments were expected and aimed at sustaining the system.

However, there have been concerns about the abrogation of due process and disregard for extant regulations in NPC’s administration in recent times.

It was learnt that issues of promotions, postings and responsibility have generated complains because they were skewed in favour of particular interests and tendencies.

It was also alleged that certain individuals have rapidly ascended manager, general manager and group general manager positions, among others in less than three years, especially under the current dispensation.

Also before now, assessments were carried out and examinations written, as part of the grooming process, but insider sources said this practice has long been discarded.

One of the sources said: “More disturbing is the fact that officials so catapulted in the NNPC scheme, are not as competent, qualified or experienced as those they have been elevated over, a situation which impacts morale and enthusiasm.”

Another source said the list of 19 postings could be termed internal staff deployment, but out of the 19 movements and promotions, 13 of them are from the North.

But Ughamadu absolved NNPC of any wrongdoing, insisting that 30 senior staff members were affected by statutory retirements and redeployments.