NNPC And Floating Mega Stations

In 2004 former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo visited the Niger Delta region and was confronted with the plight and pitiable condition of the people trying to obtain petroleum product from filling stations.

Immediately Obasanjo resolved to alleviate their suffering by ensuring that petroleum products tapped from their soil would no longer go beyond their reach.

 Subsequently, in 2005 the Federal Government directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to construct floating Mega Stations to address the petroleum products need of the Riverine communities in the Niger Delta region. One of such floating mega stations was inaugurated on October 4, 2006 at Okerenkoko in Warri South-West area of Delta State, ahead of 12 others initially approved by Federal Government.

Sadly, five years after, the laudable intentions that informed the establishment of the floating Mega stations are yet to be achieved. Most of the Riverine communities in the region are still wallowing in desperate search for petroleum products, and at the expense of the lives of the people and their hard earned resources, they continue to travel far and wide to obtain the vital product.

But in realisation of the precarious condition of the people the NNPC recently renewed its commitment to totally sanitise the fuel delivery mechanism to the Niger Delta riverine communities. The corporation’s General Manager, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma denied allegations of abandoning the project, but blamed youth restiveness for the lull witnessed over the years. According to him, NNPC has activated measures aimed at revitalising commercial activities at the Retail operated floating Mega Stations. He confirmed ongoing profitable commercial activities in some of the stations. These achievements we understand include the floating Mega stations sited in Calabar, Nembe and Ikang in Cross River, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states respectively which are in full operations, among others, either awaiting maintenance or ready for test-run. Even so,  despite NNPC’s proclaimed achievements the people may continue to suffer massive underdevelopment unless there is a deliberate policy and commitment to improve the lot of the region.

The Tide however commends this renewed effort by the NNPC to ensure that the objectives of mooting the idea of floating mega stations by the Obasanjo administration are realised, especially with the relative peace in the Niger Delta. We expect that more than ever, the corporation should exhibit full determination to conclude the projects in various communities in the region to give the people a sense of belonging and further convince them of need for lasting peace.

Currently the Corporation can boast of 12 floating, 37mega and 469 affiliate stations across the country, but we urge the Federal Government to immediately direct NNPC Retail Limited to begin the construction of the proposed 50 stations which preliminary activities were planned for Rivers and Bayelsa States.

There is no doubt that, so far the multi-billion floating Mega stations are success stories. One of such standard station by Julius Berger Plc is said to cost between N700 million and N900 million, with the capacity of 300,000 motor premium spirit (PMS), Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).  Other facilities include Offices provided in containers, life saving and fire fighting equipment, steel canopies, dispensers, electricity generators, as well as potable water and sewage treatment. Indeed, the floating mega stations are state-of-the-art technological wonders suitable to transform the fortunes of the Niger Delta people.

But we are aware that behind the Niger Delta crisis is poverty in the midst of plenty which can only be addressed by such projects that touches many lives. With such project, the risk of travelling far to secure the products would be eliminated just as their proximity would stabilise products prices, reduce transportation costs and check scarcity.

The floating mega stations would also attract maximum employment opportunities and boost commercial activities in their locations. No doubt with the floating mega stations dotting various areas of the riverine communities with regular supply of petroleum products, bunkering and related crimes associated with products scarcity would be adequately tackled.

We therefore support the NNPC’s rekindled effort to ensure that all the floating mega stations come on stream and urge Federal Government to direct and partner with the corporation to construct more stations in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta without delay. That remains the wish of Niger Delta people from any government that dotes its communities.