NNPC to begin exploration in Chad Basin, seeks military support

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed its preparedness to re-enter and commence full operations at the Chad Basin, Gongola and Benue Trough.

It is, therefore, seeking a wholistic military supports for the protection of its workforce and high-tech equipment during the exploration period.

Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mele Kyari, made this submission when he led top Management of the NNPC on a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, at his office in Abuja on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, noted that the NNPC has been unable to fully mobilise both men and materials to the areas due to some security challenges.

He added that the corporation would require the military to intensify efforts in the protection of NNPC’s pipelines and Right of Way across the nook and cranny of Nigeria.

Kyari stated that the NNPC was "seriously challenged" due to the nefarious activities of pipeline vandals, petroleum products thieves and other economic saboteurs that breach the operations of the corporation in various parts of the country.

The GMD recounted the significance of NNPC’s contributions to the national economy, saying corporation’s synergy with the military was critical to the wellbeing of the nation’s economic lifeline.

He added that the activities of the military in the nations oil sector had created the much-needed safe environment for NNPC to conduct petroleum operations for the benefit of all Nigerians.

In his remarks, Olonisakin congratulated Kyari on his appointment as the helmsman of the nations petroleum corporation.

He assured the GMD of the readiness of the armed forces to collaborate with the NNPC in safeguarding the country's infrastructure in the oil and gas sector.

Olonisakin further assured that the military would sustain its Operation Awatse, which was launched to tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism in the South-West zone, amongst other criminal activities.

He also added that the military would intensify its ongoing Operation Delta Safe in the South-South zone.