The Ibadan depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was reopened yesterday to load petroleum products to towns and communities in Southwest states.
NNPC’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Maikanti Baru, who reopened the depot, said the action followed the completion of repairs of pipelines from Mosinmi to Ibadan as well as the repair of decayed facilities at the depot.
He said resumption of loading and other services at the depot would bring back activities that would rejuvenate the state’s economy.
The depot suspended operation two years ago due to vandalisation of pipelines from Mosinmi to Ibadan as well as the breakdown of facilities at the depot.
Baru said reopening the depots was part of the major projects undertaken by his administration to bring back life into the corporation’s operations.
The NNPC chief noted that the resuscitation would further enhance effective distribution of petroleum products across the country.
According to him, the depots were moribund at the time he resumed as the GMD.
He added that resuscitating them would bring life to the distribution chain and create jobs for Nigerians.
Baru hailed the Oyo State government for providing an enabling environment for the depot and other economic activities.
He said: “It is our sincere hope that the resuscitation project will help us achieve distribution target.”
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi hailed Baru for being the first NNPC’s GMD to officially visit the Ibadan depot.
The governor announced the donation of two security vehicles to strengthen surveillance of pipelines.
He also pledged to direct the state’s joint security outfit, Operation Burst, to join in the surveillance efforts of the NNPC.