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The Ibadan depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was Wednesday recommissioned for loading of petroleum products two years after it suspended operations due to vandalization of pipelines from Mosinmi to Ibadan as well as breakdown of facilities at the depot.
This followed the completion of the repairs of pipelines from Mosinmi to Ibadan as well as repair of decayed facilities at the depot.
The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, who was in Ibadan for the reopening said resumption of loading and other services at the depot will bring back activities that will rejuvenate the economy of the state.
He said the resuscitation of the depot to serve towns and communities in Southwest states, would further enhance effectiveness of distribution of petroleum products across the country.
The GMD hailed the Oyo State Government for providing an enabling environment for operation of the depot and other economic activities.
He also called on all stakeholders to safeguard oil and gas facilities to allow the resuscitation project sustain economic activities.
Baru said the depots in Ilorin and Ore will come alive next to complement existing depots.
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who also attended the recommissioning ceremony, hailed Baru for his hardwork and determination, and announced the donation of two security vehicles to strengthen surveillance of pipelines. He also pledged to direct the state joint security outfit, Operation Burst, to join in the surveillance efforts of the NNPC.
The governor described the resuscitation as part of the change President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised Nigerians.
All the heads of relevant subsidiaries such as the Petroleum Pipeline Management Company (POMC) and NNPC Retail Company were at the event.
Major stakeholders in oil sector including PENGASSAN, NUPENG, IPMAN, tanker drivers and other oil workers in their submissions, urged the NNPC to sustain the project.