By Daniel Idonor
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, approved the immediate extension of the tenure of the incumbent Group Managing Director, GMD, of 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, 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, PIB.

The statement read: “The Ministry of Petroleum Resources/NNPC has announced the following appointments/changes in the oil and gas industry:

“Mr. President has approved the appointment of Mr. Augustine 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.”

“Mr. Philip  Chukwu, Group Executive Director (Exploration and Production) has been re-assigned as Group Executive Director (Refining and Petrochemicals) of NNPC. Mr Chukwu hails from Imo State,” the statement added.

Also appointed is Mr. Andrew 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.

Also, “Dr. David 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.”

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

Mr. Goody 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 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.