Incoming OPEC sec-gen says group intent on stronger unity

By Alex Lawler
VIENNA, June 2 (Reuters) - OPEC's incoming secretary-general
said on Thursday that his appointment showed the oil producer
group was intent on stronger unity and that he wanted to make a
difference when he takes over its top post.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries failed
to agree a production target at a Thursday meeting but agreed to
appoint Nigeria's Mohammed Barkindo as its secretary-general -
the first new post-holder in nearly a decade.
"The fact that OPEC has decided to elect a secretary-general
today after so many years of haggling is in itself a positive
signal not only to the market but to the international community
that OPEC is back, stronger," Barkindo told a small group of
reporters after OPEC's meeting.
"I am determined to make a difference in this job."
OPEC had since 2012 been looking for a replacement for the
current secretary-general, Libya's Abdullah al-Badri, who was
elected acting secretary-general in December until the end of
July after serving full terms.
Barkindo has been a key face of the Nigerian oil industry
for the past decade. He led the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation from 2009 to 2010 and served as acting
secretary-general of OPEC in 2006.
OPEC has been divided on how to respond to a supply glut
that has halved oil prices in the last two years, and tensions
between key members Saudi Arabia and Iran have been a highlight
of several previous OPEC meetings.
At the last OPEC meeting, in December 2015, the group failed
to agree on a formal output target for the first time in years,
prompting critics and even some insiders to question its
relevance.
The secretary-general is in charge of OPEC's Vienna
headquarters, represents the group on the international stage
and can play a role behind the scenes in encouraging
member-countries to reach agreement.
Asked whether he was happy about how OPEC manages production
policy, Barkindo said there was room for improvement.
"We can do better," he said. "I have not yet taken over the
mantle of leadership. I think in the fullness of time, we should
be able to sit down and talk about this."
He starts his three-year term on Aug. 1.