NNPC To Restore Refineries To 90% Capacity Utilisation By 2023

The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), Mele Kyari,  has said that three refineries managed by the oil firm will be restored to 90% capacity utilisation by 2023.

The GMD gave the assurance while briefing the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources, which consists of the Committees on Downstream, Upstream and Gas, led by Sen. Sabo Nakudu.

Recall that the Nigerian Senate had called for a total overhaul and rehabilitation of the refineries in the country.

Following this the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan directed the Committees to look into the issues raised and report to the Senate.

Kyari also complained about crude oil losses due to unpatriotic activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves, adding that the scourge has remained a major security concern.

“NNPC is making efforts to expand strategic storages, rehabilitate pipelines, increase pipeline surveillance, strengthen product distribution monitoring and expand retail outlets.”

 NNPC operation reports for November 2019 showed that 68 pipeline points were vandalized, representing about 94 per cent increase from the 35 points that were breached in October 2019.

Meanwhile, Kyari commended the ongoing efforts by the Chief of Defence Staff through Operation Kurombe, which has led to the demolition of shanties and illegal structures used by oil thieves along NNPC’s System 2B Pipeline network.