Austin Ogwuda
17 August 2012, Sweetcrude, ASABA – GROUP Executive Director, Refinery and Petro-Chemical at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Tony Ogbuigwe says the corporation plans to carry out aggressive maintenance of Warri refinery and strengthen it in an effort to double local refining of petroleum products.
Ogbuigwe disclosed this in Asaba while on a courtesy visit to the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
He also disclosed that his organization was ready to stimulate local capacity, noting that NNPC has a master-plan to establish a Petro-chemical industry in Koko as well as develop the Koko port to decongest the Lagos ports.
He therefore appealed to the State government to partner with the Corporation in achieving its set goals.
Responding, Governor Uduaghan said “we are building a State that would look beyond oil for sustenance and since investment in the gas sector was viable, we shall partner with NNPC to ensure the successful take-off of the Gas, Petrochemical and Fertilizer plants in our State”.
The governor however enjoined NNPC to work closely with oil producing states in order to eliminate unnecessary frictions.
“Always liaise with the state government when involving groups and communities in the production activities of your organization so that we can guide you properly to avoid conflicts and disruptions”, governor Uduaghan advised.
