Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru has urged Oyo State and other neighbouring states to assist the corporation in securing the pipeline network and other strategic national assets against vandalism.
Baru made this appeal while flagging-off the official resumption of loading operation in Ibadan depot, Apata, Ibadan on Wednesday.
DAILY POST learnt that the depot has been abandoned in the past two years over vandalism of pipelines.
Baru said “Nigeria’s energy supply security is underpinned by a robust pipeline network of over 8,000 kilometres used for transportation of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas.
“Of this vast access, NNPC has the largest downstream footprint with over 5,130 kilometres of pipeline network and 21 depots speak around the country.
“This critical national asset has become a subject of incessant vandalism, theft and sabotage.
“The consequence of this act of sabotage has often resulted in damage and shutdown of critical facilities, environmental impacts, injuries and awful loss of lives and property, thus causing the NNPC and by extension the federation huge maintenance cost.
“Non-availability of critical pipeline infrastructure has resulted in long haulage of petroleum products across the country with attendant risk of accidents and damage to our road infrastructure.”
He then appealed to Ajimobi and good people of Oyo State “to assist in securing this national asset, not just to save the national treaury a huge amount of money, it also to save the lives if our citizens and their property. It is one of the key mandates of the present administration to revamp this abandoned asset.”
Ajimobi who had earlier received Baru in his office, however, commended Baru for his vision and doggedness at bringing back commercial activities in the state.
Ajimobi also noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had brought progressive change to Nigeria, a clear departure from the former trend.
He, however, promised to donate security vehicles to assist in protection of pipelines.
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