The Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) has commended the group managing director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd., Mallam Mele Kyari for transforming the fortunes of the company.
The PPRAC gave this commendation while conferring its ‘2020 Zik Prize for Public Service Leadership’ on the GMD, in Lagos State, at the event where the Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, conferred the award on Kyari.
Speaking on behalf of the centre, Chief Mac Wabara said Kyari was recognized following his distinguished leadership role and sterling achievements in the NNPC, which are all evident through the various transparent and accountable reforms he instituted at the corporation.
“Mele Kyari continues to transform the operations of NNPC, including deepening domestic gas utilization, rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and public disclosure of NNPC accounts, the first in NNPC’s 44-year existence,” he said.
Wabara added that Kyari’s greatest achievement, no doubt, was turning around the fortunes of the NNPC, from one wrought with losses into a profit-making entity.
“Under Kyari’s watch, the NNPC declared a profit after tax of N287bn in 2020 after losses were reduced from N803bn in 2018 to N1.7bn in 2019. This is unprecedented in the history of the NNPC,” Wabara stated.
He further explained that Kyari also consistently played a huge role in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); as, with the coming of the legislation, the NNPC is now well-positioned to operate efficiently, like its global peers.
In his response, Kyari said in the last two years, the NNPC has automated its processes and systems; reduced its costs of operations and focused on delivering value to Nigerians, in line with his management vision of transparency, accountability and performance excellence (TAPE).
He added that the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has placed a huge responsibility on the NNPC to do things differently and be much more accountable to its shareholders – the over 200 million Nigerians.
Kyari said the Zik Leadership award will spur him and his management team to work harder towards becoming an international national oil company that is at par with its global peers.
Other recipients of the prestigious Zik Leadership Award were the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Nasarawa State governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora; Director-general and CEO of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamo and MD/CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji.
The PPRAC instituted the Zik Prize in Leadership in 1994, with the aim of highlighting Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s legacy of patriotic fervour and nationalism.
Present at the event were the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd.) and several other dignitaries.
