The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has applauded the national oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the recent flag-off of the $2.89 billion Ajaokuta-Kano-Kaduna (AKK) gas pipeline project. The project which is planned for completion in 24 months, will transport 3,500 million metric standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of dehydrated wet gas from several gas gathering projects located in southern Nigeria, to Ajaokuta, Kaduna and terminate in Kano.
Muheeba Farida Dankaka, executive chairman of the commission, gave the commendation in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the management of NNPC led by the group managing director, Mele Kyari.
A statement by Kennie Obateru, NNPC’s spokesman, said the FCC boss also lauded the NNPC for ensuring gender balance in management positions in the Corporation.
Dankaka informed the NNPC management that her FCC’s mandate extends to equitable distribution of social and infrastructural amenities, saying that the AKK project was one that would boost the nation’s economy and wellbeing of Nigerians.
She also said her commission observed that the recent recruitment by NNPC was transparent and that the national oil company ensured there was equal opportunity for all Nigerians, adding this fully complied with FCC guidelines.
Mele Kyari, the group managing director of NNPC, in a response said the national oil company was a responsible corporate entity, and has always provided a level playing field for all, thereby granting equal employment opportunity to Nigerians from all classes and backgrounds.
“On the issues around inclusion and physically challenged, as a matter of fact, today in our employment we have people in wheel chairs, the blind and other physically challenged. We are one of the institutions of government with the highest number of women in management,” the GMD said.
Kyari said that contrary to false claims in some quarters, each geopolitical zone of the country is represented at the top management of NNPC. He said there is fair play in the corporation’s appointments; and that the oil company would continue to work towards achieving the federal government’s 35 percent affirmative action of women in public service; as well as continue to comply with the rules and regulations of the FCC on recruitment.
