Oil union lauds NNPC’s inland basins exploration, calls for return of refineries to profitability

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the exploratory activities it has been spearheading in inland basins.

According to a statement released Wednesday on the state oil company’s website, Francis Johnson, PENGASSAN National President, who stated this Tuesday in Abuja when he led the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the union on a courtesy visit to Maikanti Baru, the NNPC Group Managing Director, said the yeoman job being undertaken by the NNPC with regards to the frontier basins would benefit the nation ultimately.

NNPC led by Baru, has in recent time, embarked on aggressive exploratory operations in the nation’s frontier basins of the Chad Basin and Benue Trough in line with the aspiration of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to increase the reserves base of the country.

In the statement signed by Ndu Ughamadu, the group general manager, Baru, since assumption of office last year, has drummed up support for the exploration activities with critical stakeholders in Bauchi, Borno, Sokoto and Nassarawa State, where recently in Nassarawa state disclosed that NNPC’s Frontier Exploration Services (FES), a services company of the Corporation, had mobilized the Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), (an Upstream arm of the NNPC) to acquire seismic data in the Benue Trough commencing from the Keana area.

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In addition, PENGASSAN National President commended Baru for collaborating with other government agencies and critical stakeholders to bring about efficiency in the petroleum industry, as such efforts have led to the improved products supply situation enjoyed in the country.

Johnson further said the NNPC Management was capable of returning the refineries to profitability, while expressing the union’s confidence in the Corporation’s effort in that regard.

“PENGASSAN will support any effective, efficient and sustainable model that can make the refineries viable,’’ He said.

He also called on the GMD to intensify the ongoing rehabilitation of the downstream facilities, especially the depots, pipelines, tank farms and jetties to further ensure seamless supply of products across the country.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill, the PENGASSAN President emphasized the need for its speedy passage, adding that the unions were ready to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve knotty issues associated with it.

Responding, Baru disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated him and the NNPC Management to bring back the refineries to their glorious days and thanked the unions for their belief in his capability to deliver on the president’s mandate.

He said funding had been a major challenge in the rehabilitation of the refineries but was however optimistic that the various options being explored would yield positive results.

The GMD expressed appreciation to the unions for their support in his effort to move the Petroleum Industry forward, while lauding their pragmatic approach to handling issues, saying this has helped to bring about industrial harmony.

On his part, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Corporate Services, Isah Inuwa, urged the unions to continue to work on the part of amity, while assuring them of NNPC management’s readiness to continue to collaborate with them in the overall interest of the Industry and the nation.