Pump Jacks are seen at sunrise near Bakersfield, California October 14, 2014. Photo by Lucy Nicholson for Reuters.
Vitalis Obi, permanent secretary of ministry of petroleum resources, says the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has significantly enhanced staff performance, as evidenced by their remarkable productivity levels.
Obi spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2025 ministerial award presentation to outstanding retirees of the ministry for 2024.
The ministerial awards committee (MASCO) presented meritorious awards and gifts to 25 officials who successfully completed their service in the federal civil service.
Obi said the PIA has compelled the ministry to strive for excellence in pursuing the ambitious goals set for the oil and gas sector.
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“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources is strategically placed to facilitate optimum productivity and enabling environment for excellence to thrive; we cannot afford to fail the nation,” he said.
“The ministry is full of admiration of your selfless contributions, effective representations and creative ideas which not only gave it a good rating among government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), but also brought enviable milestones for the sector.
“Your positive attitude and teamwork was a source of inspiration for many young officers who have already toed the line of creativity and innovativeness to the admiration of all.”
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The permanent secretary urged the retirees to take pride in their contributions, saying they had the privilege of being part of the policy and structural reforms that are elevating the service to global standards.
“We will not hesitate to contact you where and whenever we require your wealth of experience in resolving key bureaucratic challenges,” he said.
Obi said recognising staff members who have excelled in various areas of service delivery is an integral aspect of the government’s broader reforms aimed at restoring the dignity of labour and reviving the civil service’s former prestige.
“A well-motivated civil servant is the true engine of national development,” he said.
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In her remarks, Adaji Shehu, director of human resources management at ministry of petroleum resources, said service delivery and ethical conduct of staff members had improved tremendously.
Shehu appealed to senior officers in management positions to take the issue of mentorship very seriously “because it is one of the ways to leave a legacy”.
