NNPC anticipates 20-year old PIB to scale through Legislative Hurdles

By Etuka Sunday

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele K. Kyari has expressed optimism that through positive engagement and collaboration between the Executive, the Legislature and other stakeholders, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would smoothly scale through the remaining legislative hurdles.
Mallam Kyari who described the PIB as the future of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry, expressed joy over the “renewed commitment on the part of everyone to get it passed.”
He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the 3rd Valuechain Annual Lecture and Awards with a theme: ‘The Role of Media in the Nigerian Petroleum Sector Reform and Investment’.
The NNPC GMD reiterated the corporation’s commitment to sustaining its unflinching support to the government and the media in efforts at educating the public on the legislation.
He extolled the virtues of the Nigerian Media for what it stood for over the years: engendering responsible journalism; telling the truth to power, and above all, championing the cause of the common man.
“As the proverbial Fourth Estate of the Realm, the Nigerian Media has always been true to its most critical role of a life-long commitment to selfless service for the public good,” he added.
Kyari said, the corporation was opened to partnerships with the media in terms of capacity building especially as it relates to the PIB.
“I am of the opinion that every Nigerian deserves to know what this legislation means for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry. It is therefore duty-bound on the media to continue to scrutinize the provisions of the bill in order to provide validation and even additional value,” he added.
The NNPC boss noted the corporation was never afraid of any scrutiny, therefore, would continue to play its strategic role as a key enabler of Nigeria’s economy.
“Our commitment towards entrenching Transparency, Accountability and best-in-class Performance Excellence (#TAPE) in all our operations is still unshakeable.
“Since coming on board, we have been very open in our dealings with all our partners and stakeholders. From the unprecedented publication of our Audited Financial Statement (ATS) and monthly financial and operational reports to crude term contracts and several other bids and contracting processes, we are not relenting until this great Corporation attains global excellence,” the GMD added.