I’ll automate NNPC systems to tackle corruption ― Kyari

The newly appointed Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, has said that he will tackle corruption at the corporation by automating its systems.

He spoke to State House correspondents shortly after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari in the company of his predecessor, Dr. Maikanti Baru, on Tuesday.

Kyari said that he was aware of the enormous responsibility before him and promised not to disappoint President Buhari and the country on the confidence reposed in him.

He assured that he will work closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption in the corporation.

The new NNPC helmsman said: “We are going to work with EFCC and other institutions. institutions that are involved in controlling and contending any form of corruption in our system.

“This is in line with Mr. President’s cardinal principle to contain corruption so that this country can benefit from Is resources.

“There will be corruption where there is no discretion. So we will automate our systems and processes so that discretion is reduced to the barest minimum.

“We need the help of EFCC wherever we see infractions in our systems, compromise our systems.”

Speaking on the expected responsibility, he said, “it is clear, I was part of the team that has been working assiduously since he (Baru) resumed office.

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“I understand the gravity of the assignment given to me, the trust that is associated with this work and the high expectations of Mr President for us to make the company, a global company of excellence and to deliver to the citizenry the benefits of the oil and gas industry.

“We are focused on ensuring that we deliver this in the shortest possible time and in the most efficient way. I assure all of us that we will do this work with integrity. I will ensure that by 2023 Mr. President will look back and confirm that he has not misplaced his trust first of Dr. Baru and transferring it to us is a testament of the confidence Mr. President has for the corporation.

“We will make sure at the end of the day that the corporation becomes an integrator of the economy.”

Also speaking, Baru said it was his expectation that the new management of NNPC would do more than double what he did.

He added: “I am not setting a high target for them but I know this team are the jet factor fellows, that will zoom up, dive, come back and steady the corporation and make sure it becomes definitely the largest in Africa and make a serious contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

“We expect where we have stabilised the supply of fuel to the economy, they will make sure they start exporting products to neighbouring countries. I am so convinced that this team will deliver.

“The purpose of coming to see Mr. President is to carry out a symbolic handover of the new team led by Mallam Melee Kyari to Mr. President.

“No matter what we did in terms of transition, they have their own programmes and vision of what they want to do. We are now the airbus pilots that are relaxing and cruising at an altitude and you cannot give them a vision of the jet fighter pilot that the NNPC requires.

“They will engage Mr President at the appropriate time and get his blessing. I spent 1,099 days on the saddle of the corporation and can’t wait to present a young vibrant team.”