Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, of The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Malam Mele Kyari has stressed the importance of technology and innovation to the survival of contemporary business organisations.
Speaking at a retreat organised by the Company’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division in Abuja, Kyari noted that the survival of NNPC as a limited liability company would depend majorly on the innovative ability of the work force.
He therefore tasked NNPC staff on the need to generate new ideas that would align the company with the present-day realities in the petroleum industry.
Kyari reiterated the need to develop a culture of innovation, where people are allowed to make propositions, improve on processes and speak out freely, noting that there was no way culture of innovation could be entrenched without leaning towards technology.
Also speaking at the event, the Group Executive Director, Ventures and Business Development, Dr Billy Okoye said that the NNPC was looking forward to RTI to chart a new course for the growth of the NNPC business in tandem with the global reality.
He said that the retreat would provide an insightful perspective that would shape the evolution of the NNPC Limited into a company that Nigerians would be proud of.
On her part, the Chief Innovation officer, Mrs Betty Ugona urged participants to focus on the key priorities of energy transition with particular focus on NNPC’s business sustainability.
She said the new NNPC with the backing of the PIA was focused on innovation towards the demonstration of extended energy forms away from the fossil fuels via technology that have the potentials to out perform the current market leaders.
The chief innovation Officer noted that innovation was the watchword in every corridor of today’s business, while expressing delight that the NNPC through the RTI was not going to be left behind.
Meanwhile, the NNPC Limited urged Nigerians to look inwards for the financing of major projects, as this would help to mitigate the effect of stoppage of funds from the international market
The company was of the view that the current global gas crisis was as a result of shortage of investments in the oil sector as activists, investors, and climate change advocates also continue to mount pressure on banks and oil companies to withdraw funding for fossil fuel related projects.
The event was attended by several industry and non-sector players, including the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri and Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary NCDMB.
Others present at the event were the Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Petroleum Agency (NURPC), Gbenga Komolafe attended virtually, among others
NAN