NNPCL Insists Contracts Awarded Based on Merit, not on Ethnicity

A group, Niger Delta Grassroots Coalition (NDGC) has debunked allegation of ethnic bias against the executive vice president (Upstream) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan by one group, Niger Delta for Truth and Justices (NDTJ).

The NDGC said contracts awarded by NNPCL are not based on ethnicity or tribe but due process.
NDTJ in a publication in print and electronic media, had accused Eyesan of being the brain behind “the deal to increase the scope of job to be awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL)” by the NNPCL.

In a swift reaction to the allegation against Eyesan, NDGC said, “We wish to put it on record that Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, was awarded her surveillance contract through a rigorous due process under an Ijaw man who happens to be the immediate past Executive Vice President Upstream NNPCL, Engr. Adokiye Tombomieye, after meeting all criteria set out for the award of the job at the same time other companies like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, were awarded theirs.”

The NDGC statement, which was signed by its coordinator, Prince Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin and publicity secretary/spokesman, Franklin Eyikimi, said its attention has been drawn to a publication being circulated in both print and electronic media by the Niger Delta for Truth and Justices (NDTJ) where it not only wrongly accused the current executive vice president (Upstream) of NNPCL of ethnic bias, but went further to allegedly blackmail her person and His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.
“The Niger Delta for Truth and Justices (NDTJ) did not allege or see ethnic bias then for a surveillance contract to be awarded to an Ijaw man or different companies belonging to Ijaw people under an Ijaw man as EVP Upstream but can say that now because it concerns an Itsekiri person.

“It is a shame that instead of this group of scavengers and hustlers that claim to stand for truth and justice to engage in meaningful business or subject themselves to same rigorous process that led to the award of Surveillance Contract to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (since they so desire the contract), they want to use blackmail and ethnic bias to get the contract through the backdoor.

“…Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan has risen to where she is today through her dent of hard work, brilliance, and unparalleled professional conduct that has spanned over 30 years of both private and public works. Her career in NNPCL has been nothing short of excellent, and will not be cowed by a group of people who are not conversant with the operational process of the NNPCL,” the statement reads.