DAPPMA tasks new NNPC GMD on total deregulation of the downstream sub-sector
………. Members to be considered for credit facilities
By Shile GIWA
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has tasked the newly appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari on total deregulation of the downstream sector.
Mr Olufemi Adewole, said this in an exclusive interview with TBI Africa team in Lagos that full deregulation of the downstream remained best option to move the sector.
Kyari becomes the 19th group managing director of the national oil company was appointed on June 20 to take over from Dr Maikanti Baru on July 7 after retiring at the age of 60 years.
According to Adewole, there had been clamoring for full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sub-sector all and that remains for now.
“The downstream sub-sector of the petroleum industry is in near comatose with NNPC taking up the responsibility of the importer of last resort; this isn’t what our depots were established for.
“`We hope the new GMD would work towards creating a more conducive environment by considering DAPPMAN members for credit facilities, substituting upfront payment on Proforma Invoice (Pfis) with bank guarantees.
“Also eliminating finance costs for our members and enabling them compete favorably with other marketers who presently benefit from such,’’ he said.
The marketers, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the appointment of Kyari.
He appealed to the president to support marketers to secure total payment of all outstanding subsidy induced debts owed marketer by Federal Government.
Adewole said: “The President’s appointment of Kyari as the new GMD of NNPC is a move in the right direction.
“ Kyari is a seasoned oil and gas professional of several years standing who has gone through the many levels of exposure and training in Nigeria’s national oil company, the NNPC.
He also commended Baru for contributing immensely to the growth and development of Nigerian oil and gas sector.
“ Baru did his best while in office; in conjunction with the former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the restive Niger Delta youths were calmed down while the country regained some semblance of stability in crude oil production.
“The downstream sub-sector had his support and positive input in all our agitations to get our reimbursement from the FG; for this and many more that he did, we would always be grateful.
It will be recalled that Kyari, who hails from Borno, bagged a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Earth Science from the University of Maiduguri in 1987.
He was a former Nigeria’s representative at the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and led the OPEC’s Economic Commission Board, which was in charge of reviewing the global oil markets.
Prior to his appointment at the OPEC, Kyari was the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Division, NNPC.
He began his career at the Nigerian Geological Survey Society as a Field Geologist from 1988 to 1991 before he became a Seismic Data Geophysicist at Integrated Data Services Ltd. (IDSL), a subsidiary of the NNPC.
In 1998, he was in National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and then became the Abuja Operations Manager of the same organisation.
He became the Head of the Production Contracts Department between 2007 and 2009.
In 2016, he was the Supervisor of Production Sharing Contract for the NNPC.
