23 November 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja — The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Wednesday, expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to return the country’s refineries to profitability, while it backed the corporation’s renewed effort at hydrocarbon exploration in the inland basins.
According to a statement in Abuja, National President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson, stated this when he led the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the union on a courtesy visit to the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr. Maikanti Baru.
Johnson noted that the country would be the ultimate beneficiary of the NNPC’s exploratory activities in the frontier basin, while he added that union’s fervent prayer was for a breakthrough to be achieved in the Corporation’s exploratory efforts in the basins.
He also commended the NNPC for collaborating with other government agencies and critical stakeholders to bring about efficiency in the petroleum industry, adding that his efforts had also led to the improved products supply situation being enjoyed in the country.
Johnson said the NNPC was capable of returning the refineries to profitability while expressing the union’s confidence in the Corporation’s effort in that regard.
“PENGASSAN will support any effective, efficient and sustainable model that can make the refineries viable,” Johnson said.
He also called on the NNPC to intensify the ongoing rehabilitation of the downstream facilities, especially the depots, pipelines, tank farms, and jetties to further ensure a seamless supply of products across the country.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill, the PENGASSAN President emphasized the need for its speedy passage, adding that the unions were ready to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve knotty issues associated with it.
In his response, Baru disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated him and the NNPC Management to bring back the refineries to their glorious days.
He lamented that funding had been a major challenge in the rehabilitation of the refineries but was however optimistic that the various options being explored would yield positive results.
He commended the unions for their support in efforts to move the petroleum industry forward, while he lauded their pragmatic approach to handling issues, saying this has helped to bring about industrial harmony.
