Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), formerly Nigerian National Corporation (NNPC),has justified its interest in the acquisition of the power plants put up for sale by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs),saying it has requisite expertise and experience to be an active participant in the power sector in Nigeria.
Managing Director of NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, disclosed this when he led top management team of the Oil & Gas Company on a courtesy visit to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE),a statement said.
He was quoted saying that as an oil company and enabler organisation, NNPCL was determined to boost power generation and supply to Nigerian homes through increased investment .
He said the company had signed a contract with China Machinery Engineering Company (CME) and General Electric, (GE) to provide 50 Mega Watts of electricity to Maiduguri, Borno State.
He added that his company was determined to run the organisation efficiently and profitably for the benefit of the shareholders hence it plans to engage in activities that would generate funds; and for the power sector, “NNPCL is a partner of choice”.
He disclosed organisation’s readiness to partner with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) after the audit of some of its assets for the sale and divestment of those assets through the BPE.
The planned audit,he said,would be carried out by renowned and reputable audit firms.
Speaking, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh said that the NNPCL had indicated interest in the acquisition of some NIPP plants and would be given a level playing ground to compete with other bidders.
He added that the National Council on Privatisation(NCP) would be notified of the desire by the NNPCL to bid for the NIPP plants.
Meanwhile,the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has concluded plans to inaugurate an independent task force to assist the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and other relevant agencies checkmate hoarding, price hike and diversion of the product across the country.
National President of NANS, Comrade Sunday Asefon, expressed that it was unfortunate that adulterated fuel got into the country but it was assuring that the management of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) rose up to the challenges by riding the country of the bad product in record time.
He emphasized that concerted efforts must be put in place by all concerned stakeholders in the Petroleum industry to find lasting solution to the problem and restore normalcy.
He said: “It is also a verifiable fact that the Government through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, (NNPC Ltd), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), demonstrated consistency and dedication, by first alerting Nigerians of the off-spec petroleum products as well as working to ensure that all affected companies and individuals responsible for this adulterated fuel are appropriately sanctioned.
“We commend NMDPRA for alerting the country of methanol above national specifications in the imported petrol, and proceeded to declare that efforts were on top gear to remove the contaminated products from circulation to avoid economic damage.
“As Nigerians we recall that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, in subsequent statements and an appearance at the House of Representatives outlined efforts by NNPC to arrest the situation. Among which was NNPC and other relevant agencies embarking on Petrol Distribution Surveillance (PDS), with the sole aim of seeing to the seamless evacuation of adulterated products from the vessels to depots and trucking from depots to other inland depots as well as retail stations.
“NANS wish to declare its readiness to join the surveillance team to monitor and ensure effective distribution, avert diversion and fight out delibrate price hike by retailers.Information available to Nigerian student’s Apex body also confirmed that there is daily monitoring of trucks out from depots to all 36 states of the nation.
“Besides these, there is never a plan to enforce new pump price on Nigerian as insinuated by some unscrupulous elements. In the coming days, NANS shall inaugurate Independent Task Force to assist the NNPC and other relevant agency to end the hoarding, price hike and diversion across the nation.
“Our team shall be entering all fuel stations to ensure anyone with product that refuses to sell are compelled to sell while those selling at higher prices shall be forced to reduce to sell at normal price. This action has become imperative in order to find amicable solution and support the NNPC to help Nigerians overcome this suffering”.
1040800cookie-checkNNPC Explains Interest In Power Plants,Gets Varsity Students’ Support To Stop Fuel Scarcity
