New NNPC head lays out strategy

ABUJA, July 11, 2016 – Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) group managing director Maikanti Kacalla Baru, appointed last week as replacement for Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu at the company, has laid out his strategy for NNPC.

In his first comments since the change of the guard, Baru said late on Friday that he would be taking an inclusive approach to developing and implementing “new business models” in an effort to increase the profitability of strategic business units within NNPC.

Taking over at a time of increased violence and attacks on oil and gas infrastructure, Baru said one of his agenda points would be to “repair and restore oil and gas pipeline infrastructure and providing robust security system for both detection and deterrent in conjunction with the existing security arrangement.”

NNPC will also work to grow its natural gas network in the country, as well as “restore oil and gas production and grow the national reserve portfolio.” Baru also said one of the ways of achieve the aforementioned goal would be by increasing the production capacity of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company.

Many of Baru’s agenda points echoed statements made earlier at the Nigerian Gas Association’s Business Forum. About two weeks ago, managing director of Shell Petroleum Development Company and country chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said the country was not making the most of its gas reserves and made recommendations for tapping these resources.

“Developing adequate gas infrastructure is critical. Infrastructure remains inadequate along the value chain. Pipelines to deliver gas to off-takers for power generation and other users are important. Therefore, there is need to attract investment in infrastructure development, unbundle the Nigeria Gas Company into separate pipeline and gas marketing companies, and complete the critical National Integrated Power Project transmission lines,” Okunbor said.

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Photo courtesy of NNPC

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