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Tag: NNPC

  • Oil production dips to 1.3mbd over vandalism, says NNPC

    Oil production dips to 1.3mbd over vandalism, says NNPC

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has said that an average of 700,000bpd of crude oil was deferred in 2016 due to pipeline sabotage, saying this brought Nigeria’s production down to as low as 1.3 million barrels per day from 2.2 million barrels targeted for the period.

    The NNPC GMD, who stated this in a keynote address at the maiden edition of the Nigerian International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference (NIPITECS 2017) in Abuja yesterday, said Year-To-Date 2017, NNPC had recorded twenty–seven (27) breaching incidents on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), adding that for the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) with a capacity of 300,000bpd, seventeen (17) breaches were recorded in 2016.

    He declared that Year-To-Date 2017, NNPC had suffered at least fifteen (15) breaching incidents on the TFP, while charging members of the Pipeline Professionals’ Association of Nigeria (PLAN) to conduct a systematic diagnosis of the pipelines system in Nigeria and come up with sustainable and actionable solutions to the menace of pipeline vandalism in the country.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    He urged all key players to rally round the Pipeline Professionals to proffer solutions to the pipeline vandalism challenge as it posed a great threat to the Nigerian economy in terms of revenue loss and environmental degradation.

    The statement quoted Baru as saying that: “The foregoing summarizes the effect of pipeline vandalism and therefore underscores the importance of protecting our pipeline system and treating them as National Assets… On the strength of that, we must endeavor to carry out a systematic diagnosis and proffer workable, practicable and actionable solutions that will guarantee sustainability of pipeline infrastructure.”

    He listed some of the measures deployed by NNPC to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism to include: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology to bury pipelines deeper to prevent easy accessibility; technology-based pipeline surveillance mechanism with capability to detect, alert and deny access; and aerial monitoring and marine patrols by the Military Joint Tax Force (JTF).

    Dr. Baru further said government was working out a political solution to the socially-induced-agitation sabotage while the law enforcement agencies had been empowered to deal with those who engage in pipeline vandalism out of criminality such as oil theft.

    Speaking earlier on the significance of the conference, Chairman of PLAN, Engr. Geoff Onuoha, said considering the critical role of pipelines to the entire value chain of the oil and gas industry, there was need for a forum like NIPITECS to bring professionals and stakeholders together to brainstorm and share knowledge and technology.

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, who also spoke at the occasion, said the Board was working hard to boost local production of pipes, adding that its efforts were already yielding dividends as Nigeria now has two world class pipe mills in full operation.

    On his part, the Director General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engr. Chidi Izuwah, challenged industry players to tap into the opportunities in Public Private Partnership (PPP) to boost pipeline and other infrastructures in the country.

  • NNPC moves to safeguard pipelines

    NNPC moves to safeguard pipelines

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has marked its pipelines to avert vandalism and fire outbreaks to sustain the current steady supply of petroleum products nationwide.

    The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said this while receiving a delegation of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, (OSHA) UK, Nigeria Chapter, at the NNPC Towers, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    In a statement by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Baru said the corporation would continue to monitor its pipelines and collaborate with the law enforcement agencies to safeguard such critical national asset.

    He said that in line with safety standards, NNPC pipelines right-of-way across all locations were clearly marked to keep the public away from the facilities so that they do not come to harm.

    ”In our various pipelines running across several kilometers and locations, right-of-way is indicated to show that people should not tamper with the facility because of the danger that is involved.

    ”This is done to ensure that when there is safety breach, we have access to the affected spot and intervene accordingly.

    ”We will use this opportunity to call on pipeline vandals to please keep away from our pipeline because they are not carrying liquid that can easily be handled like water.

    ”We are calling on the general public that when they see the sign on the pipeline, they should not tamper with it in their own interest and that of the nation,” Baru said.

    He said any vandal would be handed over to law enforcement agents to face appropriate sanctions, adding that in the Port-Harcourt–Aba pipeline incident, one suspect was apprehended and handed over to the authorities.

    Baru urged members of the public to support NNPC by reporting any suspicious activity around pipelines and other oil and gas facilities, stressing that the Corporation, on its own part, would do everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property around its facilities.

    Speaking , the leader of the delegation and Regional President of OSHA, Nigeria Branch, Dr Dalhatu Ahmed, stated that the purpose of the visit was to carry Baru along in the drive to ensure safety of workers and equipment in view of the position occupied by the NNPC as one of the largest employer of labour in the country and major revenue-earner.

    Ahmed lauded the NNPC boss for his numerous initiatives at ensuring the safety of staff and assets across the corporation’s value chain.

    “I want to commend the efforts of the GMD as far as safety of lives and property is concerned in the corporation.

    ”It is interesting to see that the NNPC has done a lot in terms of safety. Safety is everybody’s business as it is a multi-dimensional issue that requires multi-dimensional approach,” Dalhatu said.

    Baru and the NNPC General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Mr Ahmed Shehu were conferred with fellowship of the association.

  • Oil firm pledges to end gas flaring in 2019

    Oil firm pledges to end gas flaring in 2019

    Belema Oil Producing Limited, a major indigenous player in the nation’s oil and gas industry, says it will  end gas flaring in its host communities in  2019.

    The Managing Director of  the company, Mr Boma Brown, said  this on Monday at a forum  to introduce its operation model  to its host communities  in Port Harcourt.

    He said that gas flaring had  deprived the country  of huge revenue,  polluted oil producing areas and depleted the ozone layer.

    According to him, the company is  now ready to harness its flared gas to generate more revenue.

    “We have already set up a team to monetise our gas which is basically to turn the gas presently flared into revenue as part of our business model.

    “The company is currently speaking and engaging stakeholders with  a focus to ending  gas flaring in five oil fields in Idama, Robertkiri, Jokka, Inda and Belema-Belema North,  all in Kula (Rivers).

    “We have already started the framework by carrying out the projects that we have earmarked to stop gas flaring  before the end of 2019,” he said.

    Brown said that government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had  shown willingness to end gas flaring in the country in 2020.

    He  expressed optimism that deregulation of the downstream industry would  drive needed investment in the oil and gas sector.

    Brown  expressed optimism that his company’s   drive to end gas flaring would encourage other multinational oil companies to follow suit and end decades-long pollution in the Niger Delta.

    “Introduction of Belema Model to our host communities is part of our desire to create value in the communities and allow them share in the wealth.

    “We want communities to participate in our activities – not just only in surveillance of oil and gas facilities – but to acquire skills that would enable them participate in the industry.

    “We will do this through regular training and   integration with our contractors while employing some of them to work with the company,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NNPC recently released a template to curb gas flaring,  preparatory to the 2020 flare deadline by the Department of Petroleum Resources .

  • ‘Atiku fought Buhari tooth and nail’

    ‘Atiku fought Buhari tooth and nail’

    Ex-VP defends role 

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been attacked for saying he has been sidelined by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    He helped Buhari to get into office and got nothing in return, he has been quoted as saying.

    Former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal, yesterday dismissed Atiku’s claim, saying the former Vice – President  did not campaign for President Buhari in 2015.

    Besides, he did not contribute “anything” to the campaign, he said.

    Lawal, a director on the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said Atiku remained bitter for losing the presidential ticket to Buhari.

    But the Atiku Media Office insisted that the former Vice-President did his best for the campaign after being sidelined initially.

    Lawal said: “We know that right from the time Buhari was sworn in, he started plotting to cause problem, to ensure that this administration does not succeed.

    “During the campaign, he granted an interview to BBC and said he was sure APC would not win the presidential election.

    “He was making preparations that if APC did not win, he will go back to PDP and get the ticket after ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s projected exit in 2019.

    “Immediately after the presidential primaries, Atiku left the country. He did not come back. All along, while we were prosecuting the presidential campaign, Atiku was not in Nigeria. He did not participate in the presidential campaign.

    “After the presidential election, he came to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and left the country. He is  complaining now  that he was not contacted.”

    Atiku has said that he was “used and dumped”.

    This, Lawal said Atiku was not right with his claim.

    He added: “I served as a Deputy Director at the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “ I knew all the intrigues. He fought Buhari tooth and nail. He was extremely unhappy about the loss of presidential primaries.

    “He did not campaign for Buhari during the election. He even refused to contribute any money. He  promised to campaign and to contribute to the campaign. He did not contribute anything meaningful.

    “ Let him say how much he spent. How much did he claim he spent? Is his money more important than his appearance at the campaign? He spent all the  money he thinks he has to ensure that Buhari did not win.

    “People are not foolish. He told the BBC in 2015 that he was sure that Buhari was not going to win. So, will somebody who did not believe in the party’s candidate spend anything?”

    He insisted that Buhari has been fair to Atiku.

    “And out of magnanimity, Buhari’s first outing from Abuja, after winning the election, was to attend Atiku’s daughter’s wedding.

    “There are many  Atiku loyalists in this government and he is saying that he has been sidelined.  She (Women Affairs Minister Aisha Alhassan) and other Atiku loyalists were given appointment because of him. They know themselves. And Atiku is saying nothing has been given to him. At least the principal appointment given to Atiku went to Aisha as the Minister of Women Affairs.

    “To be candid with you, Atiku started fighting Buhari since 2015. They just came out now because they were choked up; they did not get any reaction from him. They thought he was  going to start fighting, abusing and dealing mercilessly with the opposition in government.”

    On the comments of the Minister of Women Affairs, Lawal said she ought to have resigned her appointment.

    He said: “When Atiku was having problem with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, did any of his boys attack Obasanjo? Why is she doing it now? If there is any political saint in this country, Buhari is number one. If there are other saints, Buhari is the most pious political saint in Nigeria.

    “If she is the daughter of Atiku, as she is claiming; if she is Mama Taraba, as she claims to be, let her resign and go and work for Atiku. Atiku is free to contest; she is free to campaign for anybody.

    “As for the President, he knew when she gave Aisha appointment that she is a political ally of Atiku and we were  not surprised.

    “We are in government; we know about their machinations, meetings in order to discredit this government.  It started  after the primaries and shortly after   the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari. We know what they have been planning underground. Recently it choked them because the President refused to answer or react to all their mischiefs.”

    Spokesman of the Atiku Media Office Mr. Paul Ibe, said yesterday that in spite of  Atiku not accorded the respect he deserved, the former Vice President worked “harder for Buhari’s victory.”

    He said: “Lawal was not in the position to say that Atiku did not contribute to Buhari’s campaign. Those in the position knew what transpired. It is not the truth. I remember that I was a Deputy Director in the Presidential Campaign Council.

    “The ex-Vice President contributed his resources, time, counsel, and ideas, including the media resources which played a crucial role. Even after the election, when the media team met with the President, he acknowledged the role of the media unit.

    “After the election, Atiku Media Office became the temporary shelter for the presidential campaign media personnel.”

    He added: “Atiku was not accorded the respect he deserves  as a major stakeholder during the campaign.

    “He was not even aware of the campaign itinerary. If you didn’t invite a leader for campaign, will you expect him to be there?

    ”When they realised what was happening, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, went to the former Vice President who said he was being excluded and there was a promise that they would not sideline him.

    “By coincidence, we ( his aides) also went to meet with Atiku. We asked: ‘Are we to withdraw because you are being excluded,’ But Atiku told us: ‘You are on a historic national assignment; what you have started, you will finish.’

    “So, after the meeting with Amaechi, the ex-VP went full blast into the campaign. He said he did it in the best interest of Nigeria. It is not about Atiku; it is about Nigeria.

    “Everything Atiku said I stand by it.The ex-VP has not been plotting against this administration. He is a democrat who has been giving advice to make sure the government succeeds.”

  • Niger-Delta agitators want NNPC GMD sacked

    Niger-Delta agitators want NNPC GMD sacked

    Militant groups from the Niger Delta under the auspices of Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators on Friday demanded the immediate removal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Maikanti Baru and renounced the earlier stand not to recognize or work with the Pan Niger Delta Forum.

    The group which issued a quit notice to Nigerians from the North and South Western part of the country to leave the region, however, said it was formally withdrawing the quit notice and the suspension of the planned attacks on the oil installations in the region.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja after their meeting, the group said it has also decided to put on hold its earlier plan to declare the republic of Niger Delta on October 1.

    The statement signed by General John Duke and other leaders of the group said the decision to withdraw the quit notice and other threats was arrived at following the intervention of PANDEF and Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum (NENYLF) led by its Acting National Chairman, Comrade Imoh Okoko. 

    The statement reads: “After series of meetings between the high command of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators led by General John Duku and the leadership of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum (NENYLF) led by the Acting National Chairman, Comrade Imoh Okoko coupled with the intervention of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, which comprises of over 250 groups with their leaders and representatives officially withdraw our quit notice issued to the Northerners and Yorubas living in Niger Delta region, call off planned resumption of attacks on Oil & Gas installations across the Niger Delta region and beyond from September 10, 2017; suspend October 1, 2017 declaration of the Niger Delta Republic, declare support to Pan Niger Delta Forum, demand restructuring and removal of Group Managing Director of NNPC.

    “We have also resolved to work with PANDEF and give them our maximum support and we urge the federal government to continue dialogue and implement the 16-point demand presented by PANDEF on behalf of the Niger Delta region. 

    “This comes after an extensive consultation across the Niger Delta region, which we discover that it is only PANDEF has been working all round the clock to resolve the Niger Delta issues and have the people of proven integrity; it is a clear fact that working with any rival group such as Pan Niger Delta Congress (PNDC) is not for the interest of the Niger Delta. 

    “The meeting also resolved that the oil/gas companies should relocate their headquarters to Niger Delta region. We also resolved to put on hold the issue of the return of oil blocs own by Northerners and Yorubas to Niger Delta people and demand that the NNPC should revisit their recent appointments. We urge the federal government to replace the GMD of NNPC with an indigene of Niger Delta for the interest of peace, equity, fairness and justice. 

    “We also thank the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum, Pan Niger Delta Forum for the major role they played through series of meetings which result to our withdrawal of the quit notice and we, therefore, agree that from now on the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum should be our Representatives, mediators and contact point. 

    “We mandate them to liaise with the Oil, Gas, Marine and Servicing companies operating in Niger Delta region, Government and Agencies, NNPC, NDDC, Amnesty Office to address the issues affecting members of the Coalition in particular and Niger Delta youths in general, most importantly Employment/Empowerment of the Niger Delta youths.

    “We also use this medium to declare total support to the current board of Niger Delta Development Commission, as we warn all groups calling for the removal of the MD, Nsima Ekere to desist from it as such plan is evil and detrimental to the development of Niger Delta region; we, therefore, appeal to the Federal government to release funds owed NDDC for development, sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta region; NDDC has a major role to play in sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region.

    “We call on all our partners and groups within and outside the Niger Delta region as well as all the agitating groups in the Niger Delta region to support PANDEF and give them all the needed support to enable them to continue to dialogue with the federal government in order to move Niger Delta forward.

    “We wish to appeal to the Pan Niger Delta Congress to work with Pan Niger Delta Forum for the interest of the Niger Delta region; and we want to assure all the indigenes of Niger Delta and the general public that while we await the outcome of the dialogue between PANDEF and the Nigerian government, we shall not fail to respond to any issue that may threaten the collective well-being of the Niger Delta people.”

    Those who signed the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener, Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters) and Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice).

    Others were Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network); Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate); Major-Gen. Abiye Tariah (Niger Delta Development Network); Major-Gen. Joshua Ebere (Renewed Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta); Major-Gen. Jeremiah Athony (Movement for Actualization of Niger Delta Republic); Major Francis Okoroafor (Niger Delta Freedom Redemption Army); Colonel Nelson Okochi Walter.

  • 50% of NNPC staff undergo anti-fraud training

    50% of NNPC staff undergo anti-fraud training

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will equip 50 per cent of its work force with requisite knowledge on how to identify and examine fraud as part of measures to stamp out corruption from its system.

    The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, made this commitment on yesterday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), Abuja Chapter, led by its President, Mr. Ishili Emmanuel.

    The GMD said training staff on fraud examination would ensure that NNPC was not involved in the five per cent annual global revenue loss to fraud.

    A statement of the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

    The statement quoted Baru as saying that: “We will seize the opportunity offered by the CFE to train at least 50 percent of our staff on fraud examination. We do know that there are a lot of advantages in getting as many staff as possible trained in fraud examination.”

    He explained that as the major foreign exchange earner for the country, NNPC was very conscious of issues of corruption in all its ramifications and had gone beyond looking at corruption in terms of money alone.

    “NNPC under my leadership has instituted what we call Governance, Risk and Compliance Division which is very much in line with the mission of CFE. The Division is not only looking at corruption in terms of naira and kobo but also at the system itself. The new Division will ensure that fraud did not manifest in our system and if does, it would be quickly nipped in the bud,” he said.

    He stated that corruption was a major waster of human resources as staff found culpable were usually prosecuted and sacked, adding that it was better to train them on fraud and safeguard them.

    The GMD said the Corporation was at the vanguard of providing support to anti-corruption agencies in the country by providing them with necessary information on cases involving its employees and other relevant third parties.

    “We have been using the anti-corruption bodies effectively. Particularly, we have very strong collaboration with the ICPC,” the GMD stated, stressing that during his stint as the Chairman of the NNPC Anti-corruption Committee, they saw the need to train and certify fraud examiners which was why the current and long-standing secretary of the committee was a certified fraud examiner with about ten others that have completed their training and were awaiting certification from the American body.

    The GMD directed the GRC Division to immediately commence the process of registering NNPC as a corporate member of the CFE, urging the body to avail the corporation of all the opportunities therein in its fight against corruption.

    Speaking earlier, the President of CFE, Abuja Chapter, Mr Ishili Emmanuel, stated that the NNPC as the apex oil and gas company in the country ought to have a robust human asset capability to deal with many of the unique socio-economic development challenges within the oil and gas industry.

    He applauded the GMD for his tenacity and commitment to fighting corruption since assuming duty as the helmsman of the corporation.

    Mr. Emmanuel stated that by joining the CFE as a corporate member, the NNPC stood to benefit from the pool of unlimited anti-fraud resources like other world class organizations around the world.

    He explained that the membership of the anti-corruption body would make a bold statement about the Corporation’s integrity, capacity and willingness to entrench the culture of transparency and anti-corruption in its system.

    The GMD was also conferred with a fellowship of the association and decorated with its prestigious lapel pin.

  • NNPC’s fake papers

    NNPC’s fake papers

    •It cannot be business as usual in the big house of oil

    Although meant as a cautionary note, the statement put out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on August 27, that about 98 per cent of documents involved in the sale of crude oil was fake aptly captures the ugly reality of the goings-on at the corporation.

    NNPC’s Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Mele Kyari, had let it be known that the corporation does not sell crude oil from hotel rooms, warning would-be crude oil buyers to be mindful of the activities of local and international fraudsters who – from the cosy comfort of hotel rooms and apparently using the corporation’s symbols and other insignia – have perfected the practice of luring unsuspecting victims with higher discount offers on cargoes, offers of non-OPEC crude specification, crude allocation, crude oil sale letters and all manner of mouth-watering offers.

    For a state oil corporation struggling valiantly to clean up its image and reposition itself as one worthy of public trust, we consider the statement as both timely and appropriate. In the age of scammers and briefcase-carrying businessmen, the effort, more like pushing the reset button, seems the least the corporation could do to reassure its publics – internal and external – of a desire to turn a terrible situation around. What is perhaps unhelpful is the attempt by the corporation to pass the situation off as an exception. Had the corporation cared to look inwards, not only would it be less sanguine about its pretentions, it would certainly discover how much the practice which it so stridently denies is more or less the rule – hence that those who describe the rot as deep and pervasive do not exaggerate.

    The point is that the rot without the corporation merely mirrors the deeper rot within. We see both as obverse sides of the sham described as Nigeria’s oil industry. An industry riddled with subversion, to the point of becoming the norm. It explains why it is arguably the most opaque among its peers in the world. It does not matter whether it is the influence-riddled oil block allocation process; or the high-tech upstream operations where our officials, either for their pathetic lack of grasp of the intricacies of operations watch while the country is being bled by oil multinationals; or in their predilection for fraud continue to promote the scam described as strategic alliances known to cost the treasury billions of dollars in unremitted revenue; the industry has long become an industry of anything-goes. Need we add the downstream sector’s subsidy-gate known to have thrown up overnight billionaires for doing nothing other than recycling fuel subsidy papers while importing no fuel?

    To the extent that the current situation goes beyond merely undermining the trust in legitimate business transactions but strikes a deadly dart at the heart of NNPC itself as a corporate entity, it bears stating that the real change will have to come from within the NNPC itself.

    What to do? First, much as we agree that the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have a role in stamping out the practice; NNPC must accept that the greater burden lies with it to clean up its acts to ensure greater transparency in its operations. A good way to begin is for the corporation to identify such gaps that still exist in its operations/procurement chain that can be exploited by criminally-minded officials to rip off unsuspecting members of the public. The introduction of electronic platforms for crude oil marketing and its integration with other electronic platforms such as Platts and Argus would certainly help foster a regime of transparency in crude sales and marketing. Second, after years of clamour for the restructuring of the corporation into a world-class operator, the government must accept that the exercise can no longer wait.

  • NNPC shake-up: Ohanaeze urges Buhari to promote unity, good governance

    NNPC shake-up: Ohanaeze urges Buhari to promote unity, good governance

    OHANAEZE Ndigbo – the pro-East apex socio-political organisation – has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the recent reorganisation at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) in the interest of peace, unity and good governance.

    In a statement at the weekend signed by its President-General, Chief John Nwodo, the group described as appalling the consistent and unrepentant disposition  of alleged disdain for the Southeast by Buhari’s administration as copiously displayed in the recent reorganisation at the NNPC.

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo said it had thought that after the President’s declaration in a recent broadcast that Nigeria’s unity was settled and not negotiable, that he would take all necessary actions to achieve it, adding that the NNPC shake up has not shown that the administration meant what it said.

    Nwodo said that Buhari’s administration has shown in the new managers just announced, tilting clearly in favour of the North with the Southeast ignored as has always been the case since he came on board, has no plan to achieve the desired cohesion in an already fragmented nation.

    The Ohanaeze chief noted: “This brazen disregard, marginalisation and non-compliance with the federal character provisions in our constitution are the causes of lack of confidence which our youths have in our present governance structure.

    “As long as President Buhari continues to live out his speech abroad that his government will favour those who voted 97 per cent for him against those who voted five per cent for him so long will the dissatisfaction and unrest in our polity subsists.

    “There is no oil well anywhere in Northern Nigeria. Four of the five states in the Southeast have proven oil resources some of which provide our nation’s revenue yet our people are not found fit to be adequately represented in a key corporate institution like the NNPC.

    “Ohanaeze is therefore urging the President to revisit this recent reorganisation exercise in NNPC in the name of God and in the spirit of the ongoing festivity being celebrated in this season and in promotion of unity and good governance.”

  • NNPC crashes cooking gas prices

    NNPC crashes cooking gas prices

    The sustained strategic intervention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the efficient supply and distribution petroleum products has led to significant fall in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, nationwide.

    A national survey by Oil and Gas Forum, NNPC’s weekly TV programme, indicated a trend of drop in price for cooking gas with the average price for refilling 5kg cylinder at N2,215.96 from the former price of N2,500.00.

    The study further revealed that states with the lowest average price for the 5kg LPG refill were Kaduna and Niger at N2,000; Kogi at N2,005.00; and Oyo at N2,033.33.

    At the NNPC Mega and retail stations nationwide, a 12.5kg of cooking gas that was sold for N4,500 a few months ago is now sold for N3,800 while other retail outlets sell the same quantity for N4,000.

    The corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu made this disclosure in a statement on Sunday.

    The statement added that a national survey by Oil and Gas Forum, NNPC’s weekly TV programme, indicated that in the last few weeks, the price of petrol has fallen steadily from N145 per litre to between N142 and N143 per litre in some stations across the country.

    The study showed that NNPC Mega and affiliate stations across the country are selling the product for N143 per litre, while the pump price range from between N142 and N145 per litre in some major and independent marketers in Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto, Enugu, Delta and other major cities.

    One of the respondents in the survey and a manager at an independent fuel retail station in Abuja, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the station currently sells petrol at N142 per litre in line with the prevailing market situation in order to sustain the turnover of the business and to attract more motorists to the station.

    Another independent marketer in Mosimi, Emeka Ikechukwu, said the going ex-depot prices of PMS had dropped from N138 per litre in most depots to N133.28 in NNPC depots and between N130 and N131 per litre in private depots.

    However, the situation is slightly different in Aba and Umuahia in Abia State and Calabar in Cross River State where most independent fuel stations as well as major marketers selling the product at N145 per litre.

    The survey also showed a similar trend of drop in price for cooking gas with the average price for refilling 5kg cylinder at N2,215.96 from the former price of N2,500.00.

    The study further revealed that states with the lowest average price for the 5kg LPG refill were Kaduna and Niger at N2,000; Kogi at N2,005.00; and Oyo at N2,033.33.

    At the NNPC Mega and retail stations nationwide, a 12.5kg of cooking gas that was sold for N4,500 a few months ago is now sold for N3,800 while other retail outlets sell the same quantity for N4,000.

    NNPC has sustained its interventions through sustained improvement in the supply of the products and remodeling of distribution channels to address sufficiency issues across the country.

    The corporation has also stepped up the resuscitation of some of its critical pipelines and depots such as the Atlas Cove – Mosimi Depot Pipeline, Port-Harcourt Refinery – Aba Depot Pipeline, Kaduna – Kano Pipeline and the Kano Depot which have enhanced efficiency in products distribution.

    Efforts are also ongoing by the NNPC to revamp and re-commission other critical pipelines and depots across the country to further push down the prices of petroleum products for the benefit of consumers.

  • NNPC rakes in $2.52bn from crude oil, gas sale in one year 

    NNPC rakes in $2.52bn from crude oil, gas sale in one year 

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday announced that a total export crude oil and gas receipt for the period of June 2016 to June 2017 stood at $2.52billion. It said that out of it, the sum of $ 2.16 billion was transferred to the JV Cash Call in line with the budget and the balance of $0.36 billion was paid into the Federation Account.

    It explained that the low receipt was due to the effects of production disruption in Niger-Delta and low crude oil prices during the period.

    The corporation made this disclosure in its monthly financial report of June 2017 that it posted on its website yesterday.

    The report said that in the month of June this year, NNPC recorded a total export crude oil sale of $272.44 million, adding that the performance was almost the same like that of May.

    The report noted that “crude oil export sales contributed $175.46 million (or 64.40%) of the dollar transactions compared with $71.81million contribution in the previous month. Also the export gas sales amounted to $131.81 million in the month. The June 2016 to June 2017 crude oil and gas transactions indicate that crude oil and gas worth $2,829.67million was exported.”

    On dollar payments to the JV Cash Call and Federation Account, NNPC noted that the total export receipt of $219.34 million was recorded in June 2017 as receipt against $247.82 million in May 2017. Contribution from crude oil, according to the report, amounted to $133.79 million while gas and miscellaneous receipt stood at $78.83million and $6.71 million.

    It added that of the export receipts, $87.73 was remitted to the Federation Account, while $131.60 was remitted to fund the JV Cash Call for the month of June 2017 to guarantee current and future production.

    NNPC said that the domestic crude oil and gas receipt during the month amounted to N76.48billion, consisting of N2.55billion from domestic gas and the sum of N73.93billion from domestic crude oil. Out of the naira receipt, the sum of N56.97 billion was transferred to the Joint Venture Cash Call (JVCC) being a first line charge and to guarantee continuous flow of revenue stream to the Federation Account.

    Continuing, the report said that “on receipt from net domestic crude oil and gas, NNPC transferred the sum of N60.39 billion into the Federation Account and N90.58billion to the JV Cash Call for the month under review. From June 2016 to June 2017, Federation, JV and FG received the sum N756.22 billion, N706.12 billion and N63.30 billion respectively.”