The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has defended its decision to appoint new officials in top management positions saying it adhered to the principles of federal character as well as transparency and accountability in making the appointments.
According to Kennie Obateru, who issued a statement on Sunday, the NNPC disengaged some of its top staff in March and replaced them with new officials.
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The decision to appoint Northerners in some of these positions attracted the anger of Nigerians mainly from the Niger Delta who blasted the management of the national Oil corporation.
NNPC insisted however that it did no wrong in making the appointments. It said some of the officials were promoted based on their track record of excellent performance.
“Chief Operating Officers, Group General Managers and Managing Directors of subsidiaries were affected in what some industry analysts described as the most objective placement exercise in the recent history of the National Oil Company”. The statement said.
NNPC said the former COO, Upstream, Roland Ewubare, was redeployed as COO to the Ventures and Business Development Directorate.
Ewubare’s former post was taken over by Adeyemi Adetunji who was COO, Downstream Directorate. Lawrencia Ndupu was redeployed to Adetunji’s former position.
Bala Wunti, former MD of the PPMC was appointed as the new GGM of NAPIMS.
Lawal Sade the new MD of the NNPC Trading Company was brought in from NIDAS, the shipping arm of the company while Adokiye Tombomieye was retained as GGM, Crude oil Marketing.
The national oil corporation explained that the appointments were made to ensure seamless leadership in the affairs of the organisation.