Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) to improve its presence in the state for improved people’s participation and support.
Addressing a virtual stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, the governor also called on NNPC to be more responsive to the needs of its host communities to engender a sense of ownership.
While pledging readiness of the state government to partner with the corporation for seamless distribution of petroleum products across the federation, Ikpeazu outlined measures that could mitigate pipeline vandalism in Abia.
He listed them to include provision of logistics around products, particularly re-construction of link roads to depots and better securing of oil installations.
Also suggested is the unbundling of petroleum products to check bunkering.
The governor informed the parley that his state was rebuilding the Osisioma highway, deploying the rigid pavement technology.
Urging NNPC to engage local communities in protecting pipelines, he added that such move would give the indigenes a sense of belonging and arouse their patriotism.
In his remarks, NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Mele Kyari, hailed the people and state government for providing his organisation with a conducive environment, urging more partnerships against vandalism, especially along the Abia segment of the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Makurdi pipeline.
Represented by one Mr. Adeyemi Adetunji, the NNPC boss promised continued ties with the state and other stakeholders for resuscitation of the Osisioma depot.
“We are happy to note that in recent years, the severity of challenges to the security of the pipeline has reduced. But we must collectively work harder to totally end incidents of product loss due to activities of vandals,” he added.
Kyari hinted that the ongoing rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt would be completed in 2023.
