Aba NNPC Depot Re-Opens, Today

Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Chief Don Ubani, says arrangement is being made to re-open the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot in Osisioma today.

Our corrospondent reports that the depot was shut in 2006 by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) because of activities of pipeline vandals.

Ubani told newsmen last Thursday in Aba that the re-opening was in fulfilment of one of the campaign promises of Governor Theodore Orji.

He said that the depot had large quantity of petrol, while the state government would ensure that it got kerosene and diesel.

“We have a large quantity of PMS to last for at least three months at maximum daily loading, but for now no kerosene and diesel.

“The state is highly indebted to President Goodluck Jonathan because we are all happy that the moribund depot in the last six years has come back on stream,’’ he said.

Ubani commended the management of PPMC and NNPC for re-opening the depot and gave assurance that adequate security would be provided for the pipelines.

Mr Simple Nwankpa, the Chairman of Aba Depot Reactivation Committee, told NAN that over 700 marketers with 4000 outlets were lifting petroleum products from the depot.

Nwankpa said that the marketers had suffered untold hardship for years due to the closure of the depot.

He commended the state government for its efforts and assured that the committee would partner with other stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of the depot.