By Daniel Idonor
ABUJA – PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved the immediate extension of the tenure of the incumbent Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr Augustin Oniwon, beyond April 2011.

The president has also approved the appointment and redeployment of key managers of the NNPC.

According to a statement by the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources/NNPC, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke, and made available to State House Correspondents, said the move is to allow for continuity.

The minister added that the extension would also allow for the full implementation of critical government initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry including passing the Petroleum Industry Bill.

“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources/NNPC has announced the following appointments/changes in the Oil and Gas industry”, the statement said.

“Mr President has approved the appointment of Mr Augustine Olusegun Oniwon, Group Managing Director NNPC beyond April 2011 to allow for continuity and full implementation of critical government initiatives in the Oil and Gas Industry including passing the Petroleum Industry Bill. Mr Oniwon hails from Kogi State”.

The statement further said that “Mr Philip O. Chukwu, Group Executive Director (Exploration and Production) has been re-assigned to Group Executive Director (Refining and Petrochemicals) of NNPC. Mr Chukwu hails from Imo State”.

Also appointed is Mr Andrew Laah Yakubu, Managing Director Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited who is now the Group Executive Director (Exploration and Production) of NNPC. Mr Yakubu hails from Kaduna State.

Accordingly, “Dr David Oluseyi Ige, Group General Manager Gas Master Plan has been appointed the Group Executive Director (Gas and Power) of NNPC. Dr Ige hails from Oyo State”.

Also, Mr Haruna Omoye Momoh, who was before now the Group General Manager and Senior Technical Assistant to the Honourable Minister, is now the Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Ltd (PPMC). Mr Momoh hails from Edo State.

Mr Goody Chike Egbuji, General Manager, Projects of NNPC has been appointed Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). Mr Egbuji hails from Enugu State.

Dr Timothy Effiong Okon,Group General Manager, Corporate Planning & Strategy (CP&S) has been appointed the Corporate Coordinator, Corporate Planning & Strategy. Dr Okon hails from Akwa Ibom State.

A new Group Directorate has been created namely the Business Development Directorate of the NNPC, it subsumes the functions of the current Special Services Directorate.

Mr Aminu Baba-Kusa has been deployed to head the new Directorate. Mr Baba-Kusa hails from Kano State.