Even the blind can clearly see that since assumption of office as helmsman of NNPCL roughly five months ago Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari and his team have literally been engaged in all fronts with fierce battles which if lost could invariably signal a total collapse of the monolithic nation’s economy.
During a session with officials of PENGASSAN (Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria) a few months ago, Engr. Ojulari disclosed to a bewildered nation that the corporation was losing between $300m to $500m in operating the Port Harcourt refinery on a monthly basis and his board had to quickly put an end to what looked like intentional and purposeful bleed – to – death syndrome. The implications of the unwholesome practices were while the nation was losing so much in revenue some persons were inadvertently benefitting from the crooked deal.
And with the clear mandate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carry out sweeping reforms in the oil and gas sector of the economy aimed at positioning Nigeria at the top pedestal, beneficiaries of the old order are all out baring their fangs in all shades and manners acting as clogs in the wheel of progress and development. Even though it’s not an easy task justifying the rationale of still retaining the entire workforce of refinery staff while the place lies comatose, it behoves the NNPCL management the ingenuity of crossing that bridge which the GCEO has already highlighted as a strategy going forward which is a win – win situation for all.
Prior to Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s assumption of office as NNPCL GCEO, the crude oil supply agreement with Dangote Refinery was almost in the breach leading to the latter’s outburst in the media that if they are to pay in dollars as opposed to naira, then prices of petroleum products would definitely be upwardly reviewed. The effect of this on the nation’s economy particularly coming on the heels of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government could better be imagined than seen.
However, it is yet to be seen whether this clause in the agreement wasn’t cast in stone because Dangote Refinery is almost always drawing attention to it as was the case a few days ago relating to supplying petroleum products to marketers in dollars which ultimately would have raised the unit price per litre. Confidence is gradually being restored in this stead.
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Another source of concern for Nigerians is the activity of NUPENG – PTD, the union in charge of petroleum tanker drivers. While the Union insists that all tanker drivers must belong to the group the law says otherwise. In fact a charter of the International Labour Organization (ILO) expressly states that belonging to a union is voluntary. And that’s where the Dangote Refinery is drawing her strength from by recently disengaging the services of about 800 staff members who belong to PENGASSAN. By the insistence of Dangote Refinery that NUPENG’s unilateral imposition of about N40,000.00 tariff on each truck loading at the terminal would further jack up the product pricing module, the union is also poised to wage battle with the major player whose sole aim is to practically reduce importation of petroleum products into the country.
Dangote Refinery as a private business concern has the sole prerogative to employ whosoever is deemed fit and proper to work with the organization in meeting her goals and targets. And from all intents and purposes these fights and shenanigans are all unnecessary distractions for Bashir Bayo Ojulari and his NNPCL management team which must be frowned at.
Just as the terrain of the oil and gas sector of the economy is bedevilled by murky waters so does it require one with the set skills to so navigate the literal cloudy and unseeable nature of the water body to sail smoothly ashore. Engr. Ojulari honed his skills playing top roles in IOCs both in Nigeria and overseas and is well prepared for this new role, but what he doesn’t need right now is distraction by whatever means or colour. Most importantly, his employer PBAT must create the enabling environment for him and his team to optimally perform their duties and that’s the only sure way Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s sail against the wind can become a success in record time.
