The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said the corporation may not achieve a swift relocation of tank farms from their current locations along Ijegun, Kirikiri areas in Lagos and other parts of the country until full rehabilitation of the refineries and the completion of the Dangote refinery. This is to avoid dislocation in the supply and distribution chain of petroleum products nationwide.
This, the apex oil company said, will enable the nation to exit fuel importation before their relocation. The corporation made the submission at a hearing by the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on the relocation of tank farms in residential areas of Ijegun, Kirikiri.
The Managing Director of the corporation, Mr Mele Kyari, told the lawmakers that the NNPC is not averse to the relocation of the tank farms and depots sited in residential areas.
The GMD who was represented by the corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Umar Ajiya, told the committee that the tank farms and depots were a major artery for receiving and distributing imported petroleum products to all parts of the country.
According to him, the abrupt relocation of the tanker farms would trigger a crisis not only in the downstream sector but also in the nation’s economy in general.
“We are not opposed to the yearnings of the communities or the relocation of the tank farms and depots, but we want it to be done in phases because of the huge financial commitments by the stakeholders.
“If they are relocated abruptly, even the banking sector would be affected because of the loans they granted for the establishment of the depots,” he stated.
Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja
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