There is definitely apathy from Nigerians towards the management of our economy by government functionaries. Projects executed on the behalf of the government are basically approved to benefit the officials, as against the general interest of the citizens.

One of the most castigated government agencies is the NNPC. But, the new NNPC management led by Engr. Andrew Yakubu, a tested engineer with over 25yrs experience in the oil & gas industry is “walking the talk” of transparency in doing government business, the mantra of the Goodluck Jonathan’s led regime, by curbing the excesses in project execution by the oil companies. This new trend is well received by all well meaning Nigerians as an honest initiative to save cost and control project expenditure by oil companies.

*File photo: One of NNPC’s work station

Hitherto, international oil servicing companies, in a bid to win bids, have often neglected the local content components of the projects, thereby causing the cost to become prohibitive, further hurting our local economy. Presently, several mega-dollar projects executed by EXXON-MOBIL, TOTAL, Chevron or Shell have seen the new NNPC management directing the oil companies to review their cost downwards thereby saving money for the Government and people of Nigeria.

It is interesting to note that never in the history of Nigeria, particularly within the NNPC have we been informed that NNPC has stood their grounds and forced their JV partners to review their project cost. This also includes full implementation of the local content aspect of the bids. Speaking on this effort, a writer on energy business believes that, this new effort by NNPC, has shot local content input from 10% to 30%, as the government through NNPC/NCDMB target 70%.

Even though NAPIMS is saddled with the responsibility of managing these project bids, the final approval, resides with the new NNPC GROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (GEC)comprising of a six (6) man Group Executive Director team led by ENGR. ANDREW YAKUBU as chairman of the committee, who have not only ensured cost savings for the Federal Government of Nigeria, but also ensured that due process is followed during tender evaluation and that the NIGERIAN CONTENT MANAGEMENT BOARD (NCMB) led by Engr. Nwapa enforce the Nigerian content act by ensuring that renowned international service companies that have earned billions of dollars in Nigerian  contracts do not play lip-service .