In a statement clarifying the development, Garba Deen Muhammad, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited Abuja said the new appointments were made in line with PIA 2021.He added that, “by virtue of the appointments of Mallam Mele Kyari and Mr. Umar Ajiya as NNPC Limited Group CEO and CFO respectively by Mr President for a tenure of five years each with effect from 16 September 2021 has ended their employment with the Corporation and are thus entitled to their terminal benefits in respect thereof. Based on the provisions of the Act, the new tenured roles they assumed with NNPC Limited cannot be regarded as continuance of their previous positions in the defunct Corporation.”
The spokesman’s statement reads: “Our attention is drawn to the malicious publication by Sahara Reporters alleging inappropriateness of the disengagement of the GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari and GED F&A, Mr. Umar Ajiya from the services of the old Corporation and their subsequent appointment by Mr. President to commence a new tenure as Group CEO and CFO in the new NNPC Limited.
