NNPC Recommissions Ilorin Depot

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, has recommissioned the corporation’s depot located at the Oke-Oyi suburb of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday.

The event was witnessed by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who assisted GMD Kyari in cutting the tape to mark the recommissioning of the depot.

The recommissioned facility is expected to boost petroleum products supply in Kwara and its environs.

Speaking during the event, Kyari said the NNPC exists to create ease for Nigerians, but noted that each time petrol distribution is disrupted, there is great unease in the country.

“We at NNPC see ourselves as a Noble organization and whatever we do, we put in our best. One of them is to provide petroleum product uninterruptedly to all the parts of the country and the easiest way to do this is through our pipelines and once you transport through a pipeline, you have to take it to a depot and the depot must work to do this,” said the GMD.

Kyari said a key role the recommissioned depot will play in Kwara is  the steering of economic activities around the state and neighboring states.

“We’re doing this for two reasons, one is because NNPC is a business and we need to get the business running. But most importantly, it is President Muhammed Buhari’s plan to create comfort and ease for the people of this country and any time there is disruption in the supply of petroleum product, this hopes are driven away automatically.”

Kyari said the NNPC is conscious of its role in helping President Buhari deliver on his agenda of ensuring a stable and secure economy, adding that that’s “why this project is very critical to us and we are proud to say that we have  delivered this depot  not without challenges.”

Speaking further, the GMD sought the governor’s support in collaboration with security agencies in the country to protect the corporation’s facilities in the state.

Kyari said the NNPC will require the support of the host communities to be able to maintain the national assets in the state.

“If this depot works, peace and economy prosperity will come to kwara state, especially the communities,” the GMD said, adding “We look forward to working with you to deliver on what Mr President has promised this great country. One of them is to go into the areas of renewables. Every state can do renewable and we will engage with you to see how we can collaborate with kwara state. Finally, I will like to congratulate our staff for making this work, it’s tough and very expensive but we have done it.”

In his remark, Governor AbdulRazaq pledged his administration’s support and warned that sabotage of the petroleum pipelines would not be tolerated.

The governor called on the host community of the newly commissioned depot to guide the national asset jealously.

“This is a happy day for us in Kwara. We are delighted to have this depot resuscitated,” the governor said, adding that his administration would be proactive and work with the security agencies to secure the facilities.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Operating Officer, Downstrem, Yemi Adetunji, noted that the Oke-Oyi depot was one of the depots constructed by NNPC in the late 1970’s to ensure distribution of petroleum products across the country.

He said the depot which distributes various kinds of petroleum products has a capacity of 42.5 million liters for Premium Motor Spirit, 20 million capacity for FGO, and 7.5 million liters capacity for EPK.

“We have four leading arms for PMS, one each for FGO and one for EPK,” said Adetunji.

“At this depot here we can load 64 trucks every day which will help in the distribution of better products in kwara state and adjoining states. The plants also has a capacity of 1000 metric tonnes of  LPG  which can handle 520metric tonnes at any point in time. The LPG plant was built in 1989 and commenced operation couple of years after.

“This depot is fed by the Ibadan- Ilorin pipeline which has been rehabilitated and is now available for operations. I am ensuring that the pipeline is always available to distribute more products,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the Oke-Oyi depot will serve as alternative to those in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and some parts of South West.

Adetunji added, “The depot is being commissioned after five years of being out of operation, but we are grateful to the GMD for all the support he has given to us and our directorates to make sure that this happens. It has been a lot of hard work and we hope and commit to sustain the operation at this depot going forward.”