The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has re-commissioned four petroleum product tanks with 87.70 million litre capacity at the Mosimi depot in Ogun State.

This was contained in a statement by NNPC spokesperson, Garba Deen Muhammad who said the action is part of concerted efforts to maintain seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru while re-commissioning the facilities said the tanks had significantly enhanced strategic storage capacity of PMS in parts of the Country being served by the depot.

Baru noted that the coming on stream of the four tanks fits into one of NNPC’s 12 Key Business Focus Areas of his Management team: The restoration of NNPC’s oil and gas infrastructure.

He explained that the rehabilitated tanks’ combined storage capacity represents 54% of the total storage capacity for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol at Mosimi depot, adding that the new gauging and metering technology adopted would help reduce waste

and stop leakages in the operations of the depot.

Baru also confirmed that as part of NNPC’s corporate social responsibility, the Corporation would rehabilitate the access road to Mosimi depot to enable seamless evacuation of petroleum products from the depot.

On his part, the Chief Operating Officer Downstream of the NNPC, Henry Ikem-Obih said the re-commissioning of the four tanks would further help the Corporation to attract more local and international investors into the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Also, Managing Director of the Engineering Company that executed the project, Benson Adano, thanked the NNPC for promoting the local content policy and assured that the project was executed in line with best global practices.

The NNPC Mosimi depot was constructed in 1978 for the storage and distribution of petroleum products to the western part of the country.

In a related development, NNPC has solicited the help of traditional rulers to secure and protect national oil and gas facilities in their domain.

Baru made this appeal during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu 1, at his palace.

He thanked the Oba and Lagos State for their contributions in ensuring the safety of the nation’s oil and gas facilities, adding that the country recognises the contributions of Lagos to the nation’s economy especially in shipping, finance services and most recently oil and gas.

“We appreciate your fatherly role and support in protecting our pipelines and other oil and gas facilities.”

The Oba in his response, noted that he has told all the chief sunder his kingdom in the communities hosting NNPC pipelines and facilities that they would be held responsible for whatever happens to those assets.

“I promise you that all NNPC installations here in Lagos are safe. Lagos people are peaceful and patient people.”

He also appealed to all pipeline vandals to stop their unpatriotic acts saying they should give peace a chance to reign in the country.

Pipeline vandalisation has been pinpointed as one of the major cause of the ongoing recession that has crippled the Nigerian economy as the country looses millions from this unlawful act.

•Pieced together from reports byTV360 Nigeria.Photo shows NNPC GMD Maikanti Baru.