00:00Following the resignation of Derek Lukpat on November 1st, National Petroleum says
00:05Chester Beput, whose substantive position for the past seven years as
00:09general manager of NP, was immediately placed as acting CEO. NP highlights this
00:15as it vehemently denies a claim made by the oilfields workers trade union on
00:19November 8th at a protest at the Sealots compound. Mr. Lukpat's resignation with
00:25immediate effect just one year into his term sent shockwaves throughout the
00:29organization and added an air of uncertainty that has been pervading the
00:34company for over the past four years. According to NP, Beput's tenure spans 24
00:40years and he has held various positions in the company. NP says, quote, Mr. Beput
00:46has acted in the position of CEO prior and is qualified and capable of leading
00:51NP at this time until further notice, end quote. However, the OWTU has expressed
00:57confidence in Beput's ability to function in the role of CEO and it went
01:01on to question why he was never selected for the post. In response to this and the
01:07union's allegations that senior managerial positions are being
01:10contracted out while employees with more tenure are being overlooked, NP calls it
01:15inaccurate. The company goes on to say that it has, quote, made a strategic and
01:21commercial decision to contract a number of senior managerial positions, both
01:26internal and external candidates have an opportunity to participate in a
01:30recruitment process which is fair and transparent and managed by an independent
01:35third-party contractor, end quote. The company further states that based on its
01:412020 to 2021 audited financial statements, 19.5 million dollars in
01:47profit before tax was recorded and each successive year has seen improvement in
01:52this regard. Meanwhile, in response to the OWTU's allegation that one of the
01:57reasons for the resignation of Luke Pat was that the company's risk portfolio
02:01was, quote unquote, too high for his personal and professional tolerance, NP
02:06says this statement is factually inaccurate. The first vice president of
02:11the OWTU, Sati Gadjeda-Innes, has accused the board of directors of interfering in
02:17the day-to-day managerial operations. Give me an idea of what, what that
02:21interference looks like. One of the key things I will, and the least of it, would be the
02:26confirmation of workers and regularization of workers. Prior to the
02:31last CEO coming into office, we would have been hearing time and time again
02:35the board decision is not to hire new hire and to confirm people in their
02:41positions. Functions, the OWTU stated, would usually be governed by human
02:46resources. Well, in response to that accusation of overstepping by the board,
02:51NP says it is guided by the State Enterprise Performance Monitoring Manual.
02:56NP refers to Section 2, outlining, quote, the chairman is charged inter alia with
03:02the responsibilities of ensuring that activities of the board are conducted in
03:06a manner which will facilitate the attainment of the objectives of the
03:10company, end quote. NP further states that the members of the board have a statutory
03:15requirement under Section 991A of the Companies Act Chapter 8101 to operate in
03:22the best interests of NP, and the company says, quote, as such, the NP board has a
03:27remit to facilitate NP's achievement of its strategic objectives, as well as
03:32seek NP's best interests at all times, end quote. NP denies that six board
03:38members also resigned, saying this is not factual. NP expresses a view that there
03:43is no need to improve on the governance structure of the company, contrary to
03:48the opinion held by the OWTU. While protesting workers and their
03:52representing trade unions said they have no confidence in NP's chairman, Saeed
03:56Hussain, the company says it has full confidence in its chairman and board of
04:01directors. Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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