Govt reshuffles SNGPL’s top management on overbilling inquiry

LAHORE: Government has reshuffled top management of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), including removing the utility’s acting managing director, on what sources said ongoing overbilling inquiry; although its official termed this as a routine reorganisation.

SNGPL’s official said the board decided to give Mahmood Zia Ahmed an additional charge of managing director in place of Amer Tufail.

Sources said series of punitive measures have been taken against staff of gas utility following initiation of probe by federal government into ‘intentional’ issuance of inflated bills to consumers by gas utility. Initially, such measures were aimed against lower cadre staff only. Yet, the government now removed several powerful senior officials deputed on key posts for years by issuing their transfer orders. Especially, officials working in the field, particularly in the sales department, have been asked to leave their posts.

SNGPL’s official said removal of Tufail has nothing to do with the ongoing inquiry. “He is a professional and one of most senior officials of the company,” the official said, referring to Tufail. “The basic consideration behind his removal was the fact that he was not an engineer.”

Ahmed has been given additional charge of managing director. “Apart from immensely contributing towards efficient operations of the company, he has been a strong advocate of reducing the UFG (unaccounted-for gas) / line losses,” the company said in a statement.

In the last two months, two managing directors of SNGPL have been changed. Amjad Latif, the previous MD, was terminated by Prime Minister Imran Khan along with MD of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) following a report of the fact-finding committee on gas crisis that hit the country the most in December last. Both the utilities have been marred by high unaccounted-for gas losses.

Sources said poor governance and negligence on the part of top management of gas utilities have adversely affected financial strength of the companies.

An inquiry was ordered to ascertain allegations about overbilling last week. SNGPL initiated disciplinary inquiries and transferred 37 employees, including senior level managers. The general manager of Lahore region was also transferred.

SNGPL said the employees have transferred from their existing departments to promote transparency, merit and fair play. A number of disciplinary inquiries were pending against these employees which prompted the action.

One employee has been terminated after completion of inquiry proceedings. As many as eleven transfers were made in the sales and admin departments in line with the overall objective of continuous job rotation on a company wide basis.

Sources said the post of MD SNGPL would be filled on permanent basis through a process. An official said the post would soon be advertised soon and after going through selection process new MD will be appointed.

The newly-appointed managing director is relatively a junior officer, especially if compared with the outgoing boss of the gas utility.

Ahmed has an illustrious career of more than 31 years in distribution, construction, operations, and maintenance of natural gas pipeline systems in SNGPL. He has served in numerous key positions.

The newly-appointed managing director has attended a host of local and international courses on energy sector and management during his career. Ahmed holds distinction in M.Sc. (chemical engineering). He did graduation in chemical engineering from University of Punjab, Lahore. He joined SNGPL as assistant engineer in 1988. He served the State Cement Corporation prior to joining SNGPL.