Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited has dismissed calls that staff of the refineries should be sacked, following the nonfunctioning of the nation’s four refineries.
This is as Nigerians have questioned why NNPC Ltd over the years have spent billions of Naira on salaries to workers and staff of the nation’s four refineries, whereas the refineries have not been functioning.
The Chief Financing Officer, Finance and Account, NNPC Ltd, Mr Umar Ajiya, on a live interview on television monitored by our correspondent in Port Harcourt, said those demanding the sacking of the refineries’ staff do not understand how a plant operates.
Ajiya explained that it was not only Nigeria that was challenged but the whole world, hence it would be counterproductive to drop workers at this time.
He also expressed optisim that the 60,000 capacity Port Harcourt refinery will begin operation by December 2022 or at most by j
January 2023 to reduce fuel importation in the country.
“This is not the right time for anyone to advocate sacking of staff when the whole world is challenged, not only Nigeria is challenged. Those who are advocating for that are probably not engineers.
“Or they could as well say even the security should be sacked because the refineries are not working. So, by the time you come back you’ll probably not meet even a spanner in the plant.
“So, it is absolutely necessary that you must keep minimum level of workforce so that the assets integrity is maintained. So when you come back to operate it, it can be done efficiently.”
The NNPC Ltd’s Finacial Officer also disclosed that contracts have been awarded for the fixing of Warri and Kaduna refineries.
“We have also awarded contract for the fixing of Warri and Kaduna refinery. The contractor has mobilized to site in Warri.
“For Kaduna, we have commenced scoping work by the same contractor, once that is done, the contractor will also mobilized to Kaduna. So we are hopeful that by 2023 we will see our refineries refining products locally and thus reducing the importation of petroleum products from other countries.”
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