The new Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has promised to fix the country’s four refineries before the end of 2023.

He also pledged to put an end to the importation of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol, before the end of his four-year term. 

The new GMD made the pledge while taking oath of office at his swearing in ceremony held yesterday, in Abuja. 

His words:

“There will be no corruption without discretion. We will work with all stakeholders within the NNPC Group to ensure there is no discretion in the system.

“I recognise the weight of being a GMD of NNPC Group. If anything I know there’s eternal accountability when I will stand before my Creator to give full account of all my actions.

“We will build this company to enable it compete with its global peers. We are not saying we will not make mistakes along the way, but we will not make deliberate mistakes.

“To my family members, from today, if you accept any gift from anyone, then it is not from me. So those who want to give my family members gifts, let them know that my family members can never influence me.

“To the GMD Emeritus, Dr Maikanti Baru, I can’t thank you enough. I will like you to just sit down and tell yourself that you have done the right thing.

“In the last 3 years, we have made giant trides under Baru. I am an insider in many of the laudable achievements recorded under him. We are going to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians from this great Corporation.

“It is a promise that we shall remain more open, more credible, more focused and more accountable to all Nigerians.

“We will deliver all our four refineries within the life of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. We shall seek strategic partnerships to ensure Nigeria becomes a net exporter of petroleum products.”

Kyari assumed office as 19th GMD following the retirement of ex-GMD Maikanti Baru, who clocked statutory retirement age of 60, Sunday, July 7. 

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on June 20, announced the appointment of Mele Kyari as the new GMD of the NNPC.