The group general manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, has announced the federal government’s plan to re-open the Trans-Niger Pipeline which was shut for over six months due to vandalisation and crude oil theft.
Wunti who disclosed this via his official tweeter handle yesterday said NAPIMS’ leadership delegation under the general manager of joint venture operations, Mr. Zakariya Budawara, had been to Bodo community in Gokana local government area of Rivers State where the pipeline is situated and runs through
“The visit is part of NAPIMS efforts towards re-opening the nation’s major liquid hydrocarbon delivery atrium – the Trans Niger Pipeline, a critical infrastructure in the crude oil export, which has been under force majeure for over 6 months.
“This visit is part of our continuous journey to re-strengthen our trust with one of the communities where NAPIMS and its partners are conducting business. It is also a demonstration of NNPC’s strong commitments to its core value: integrity, excellence, and sustainability.
“During their stay, they gathered a deeper understanding of the challenges of the good people of Bodo.
“At NAPIMS, we are able to achieve this because of the commendable support and commitment of the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under group chief executive officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari and our amiable Upstream group executive director, GED, Adokiye Tamboiemeye.
” Under our current leadership, NNPC businesses has continued to focus on “trust and strengthening partnerships” with our communities, operating partners, states and relevant stakeholders as well as focus on ESG in our operations.” Wunti wrote.
He further said the Bodo people demonstrated their traditional hospitality and commitment towards ensuring the security of national hydrocarbon infrastructure in their domain.
“As part of its corporate social responsibility, NNPCL under the leadership of …Kyari, has continued to work with its host communities towards improving the quality of life, creating business, employment and capacity development among others.
“In line with the focus of the NNPC management, we will continue to do all we can to better the lives of Bodo and the entire Ogoni people. This is a new dawn,” Wunti said.
Besides, he said he “deeply appreciate the courageous chairman of Gokona local government area – Hon Confidence Deko and member representing Gokana State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly – Hon. Dumle Maol.
“I must especially appreciate the traditional institutions led by Mene Mike Tekuru, religious leaders including reverend fathers, pastors, and the vibrant great women and youths of Bodo for their trust, collaboration and partnership.”
The Trans-Niger Pipeline is critical to Nigeria’s crude export as it carries Nigeria’s crude oil, Bonny Light, to an export terminal.
The pipeline, according to its operator, Shell, transports around 180,000 barrels per day of crude oil to the Bonny 6 export terminal and it is part of the gas liquids evacuation infrastructure, critical for continued domestic power generation and liquefied gas exports.
The pipeline was shut down by Shell because of vandalisation and oil theft.
