The Honourable Minister of State Gas, Petroleum Resources, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ ๐๐ธ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐๐ธ๐ฝ๐ผ today visited Rivers and Abia States on a working visit to ascertain the state of Pipelines and the activities of illegal refineries that is threatening the asset of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corperation – NNPC and the host community.
Ekpo was accompanied by his counterpart in the Oil Petroleum Ministry, ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป. ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ and top officials from the two ministries, alongside senior executives and directors of the corporation.
Speaking on the state of the illegal refineries and pipeline vandalization, Ekpo fumed at the activities of some unscrupulous elements who are bent on ensuring low productivity and collapse of the Oil and Gas sector.
The former national lawmaker said the current administration of ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ต๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฎ ๐ง๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฏ๐, will leave no stone unturned in making sure that vandals and their activities are completely obliterated, while the nation regain full control of its major assets across the country.
Ekpo commended staff of the corporation for their dedication and commitment to ensuring the protection of the national major asset and of course, productivity. He said his team were impressed with what is on ground, which indicates that everyone is committed to the success of the project.
He noted: “I’m comfortable with what I have seen. The people here are committed and dedicated to their work. Why we are here is that Mr. President has given Nigerians a hope for a renewed nation and it is our task to ensure that Mr. President succeeds. And we can’t get the work done from the comfort of our offices.
“If what is on ground isn’t encouraging enough, of course, we will speak out and hold the people accountable. But so far, what we have seen is quite encouraging. It shows everyone are committed to seeing to the success of this goal, which is, a better Nigeria.”
GODWIN GREEN
Niger Delta Correspondent
