Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has stated that the federal government has not unbundled the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, but only restructuring.
The minister who spoke to state house correspondents, said he was alarmed by reports that the NNPC had been split into separate entities.
“We have not unbundled NNPC. We had a press conference yesterday where I explained this.
“What we have simply done is a reorganisation. We have five business entities focus on business: Upstream, Downstream, Refineries, Gas and Power that are there before.
“There is also Ventures that captures all our little companies that were not having proper stewardship. They are run by individuals who report to the GMD.
“The NNPC is still a whole. There is nothing new that has happened.
“I have tried to explain this and I am sure the NNPC workers are members of the family, they will understand. We are going to have a meeting, and they will be made to understand. Perhaps the engagement has not been good enough.
“NNPC has not been unbundled in the sense of breaking up NNPC into distinct institutions.
“I am concerned. I don’t want the industry shut down. I am sure we are going to resolve the issues very soon.”
Recall that the Minister, last week stated that the NNPC would be split into 30 profitable companies. He however, announced the creation of seven units out of the NNPC late on Tuesday.
A situation that has crippled activities at the NNPC nationwide, due to protests by workers.