The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari has urged the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) on performance monitoring of the corporation.
Mele noted that this will bolster the corporation’s confidence in delivering its mandate to the Nigerian public.
The Group Managing Director gave this charge during a courtesy visit by the executives of NAEC to the NNPC Towers, on Thursday in Abuja.
The GMD stated that the corporation has identified the association as a critical stakeholder to work with for the growth of the energy industry.
Kyari stated that the corporation was committed to continuing on the path of truth to move NNPC to the next level.
“We know that this body is a very significant component of our country. We are aware that what we do here affects everybody and therefore, ventilating the issues here, giving it critical assessment is important to this country.
So, the work of the energy correspondents is just like the energy sector that contributes 80 – 90% of the nation’s revenue, that means literarily, your reporting contributes to that per cent in the value of journalism in the country”, the GMD said.
He urged the body to join the corporation’s drive to change the negative narrative about the oil and gas industry by being factual in their reportage of the efforts of the corporation in revamping the refineries and other oil and gas infrastructure.
While explaining the reason for the visit, The National Chairman of NAEC, Mr. Olatunde Dodondawa said that the unprecedented track records of the GMD necessitated the visit.
“We normally don’t pay courtesy visits, but having monitored your performance in the past, members of the association overwhelmingly voted that we must pay a courtesy visit to this wonderful GMD.
“We want to tell you that we are ready to support you to achieve your agenda of revamping the refineries and upgrading NNPC operations in a transparent manner”, Dododawa stated.
He commended the efficient manner the GMD handled his duties as Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC, with particular reference to the Direct Sales Direct Purchase (DSDP) initiative that brought significant value to the corporation.
“As Energy Editors, we have strictly followed your strategic agenda which was reeled out shortly on your assumption of office and to also let you know that the association will ensure that the agenda becomes a success,” he said.
Dodondawa leveraged on the opportunity to invite the GMD as the keynote speaker of the association’s forthcoming annual conference.
