The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to prioritize transparency, accountability, and institutional reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, during his tenure.
Ojulari, who officially assumed office on Friday following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been tasked with steering the NNPCL at a critical juncture for the nation’s economy.
HEDA is a civil society and anti-corruption organization.
HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, in a statement on Sunday emphasized the importance of transparency in contracting processes and financial disclosures, aligning operations with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He also highlighted the need for bold anti-corruption measures, including independent audits and investigations into legacy issues such as crude oil theft, procurement fraud, operational inefficiencies, and environmental despoliation of oil corporations.
He said: “HEDA congratulates Engr. Ojulari on his appointment and calls on him to champion transparency and reform in the oil and gas sector. This is a pivotal moment for the NNPCL to demonstrate commitment to good governance and national interest.”
He urged the new GCEO to focus on rehabilitating Nigeria’s refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery, to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and enhance energy security. Addressing environmental accountability was also highlighted, with calls for justice and remediation for host communities affected by oil exploration.
He further warned against political interference in the NNPC Ltd’s operations, stressing that undue influence could compromise progress and national interest. He also called on President Tinubu, as the Petroleum Minister, to champion and sustain holistic implementation of reforms that would reposition the corporation as a globally competitive and transparent entity.
