‘’The mark of a great man is one who knows when
to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.’’ -- Brandon Sanderson
By
Ahmed Ali
Among
the first positive things Ahmed Bobboi did when he took over the mantle of
leadership at the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) was to introduce a staff
posting and deployment policy, the first of its kind in the history of PEF. It
was a sign that the Petroleum Equalization Fund was into a new dawn.
Not
many people, even among the staff envisioned the remarkable positive change
that was to take over the running of affairs of this important government agency
when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ahmed Bobboi as the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Equalization Fund
(Management) Board in
October 2016.
Although many who worked with him or
have came in contact with the unassuming public servant
described him as a man full with ideas and very passionate in doing his job.
Ahmed Bobboi no doubt has etched his name in golden ink in the history of
Nigerian petroleum management within the short time he took over an organization set
up in the 1970’s to ensure uniform pricing regime of petroleum products across
the country and its distribution.
Most critics would agreed that the Bobboi led management
effectively checkmated the hitherto scarcity of petroleum products and also efficiently
ensured that the products get across the country as of when due. One glaring
fact was that the Ahmed Bobboi led management stepped into the murky water of
Nigerian oil and gas sector and made a tremendous impact in an agency that was
facing a myriad of challenges. It is therefore logical to commend him going by
the unprecedented achievements he has made just within one year in
office. Among some of his achievements is the patriotic zeal at which he has
been able to breakdown nepotism and favoritism the two degrading factors that
had previously held down the wheels of the agency which has now been stabilized
with his collective policy direction. The current giant stride being
experienced today since the past four decades when PEF was established is as a
result of this new visionary and nationalist approach by the Bobbi led management.
His unique staff
posing and deployment policy has refocused PEF in as much that the staff now
works in harmony as team players with refocused energies and a mindset blended
with patriotic and nationalist focus. The workforce is now more vibrant and skillful
as they are constantly transferred to various departments in the agency to
build up their skill and capacity.
It is also commendable
to note how the Ahmed Bobboi led team have effectively improved and deployed
Information Technology ( IT) in the daily
operations of PEF and the remarkable achievement recorded so far. Top on the
list is the automation of the 130 locations of PEF operations at various depots
and tank farms to deliver services at the best minimum cost.
Again, the fund synergy
with various stakeholders and other government agency like the National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is yielding fruitful results.
Commendable is the innovative idea to develop software that will make it
possible for PEF to ascertain the quantity of products available in ships, tank
farms, depots, trucks, pipelines and outlets. Also worth mentioning is the idea
by his management to implement transportation of petroleum products across the
country through the rail, and already a task force is already in the peak of
working out the logistic for a smooth take-off targeted at early 2019. It is
reported that Ahmed Bobboi who is vigorously driving the process has given the
task force all the necessary support and order to ensure that the take-off
deadline was met.
The current operations by PEF with its
efficient IT arrangement have made payment easier to marketers and more
credible. Payments and allowance are now being remitted regularly. It is
equally important to mention and commend his focus on staff development and
training which are two important elements Ahmed Bobboi has so far deployed in
his managerial proficiency. He has used these important factors to uplift the
staff confidence and also brought out the best in them which in turn resulted
in the current stable distribution and deployment of petroleum products being experienced
by Nigerians across the country.
No doubt that the
President Muhammadu Buhari led
administration rightly placed the right peck in the right hole when it
appointed Ahmed Bobboi to steer the ship
of this cumbersome agency and so far the administration’s change agenda,
including Nigerians are benefiting tremendously from his effective managerial
skills and vision as he boldly steers the country petroleum fund towards
prosperity.
Copyright SEE Magazine
2019
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