Stop bombing oil pipelines – NNPC boss, Baru begs militants

The Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, M.K. Baru, on Thursday urged Niger Delta militants to stop blowing up oil pipelines in their region.

Baru made the appeal while delivering a Keynote Address at the SPE Annual Oloibiri Lecture Series in Abuja.

The NNPC Boss noted that cessation of militants’ attack will enable the corporation to grow the gas industry which will be of benefit to Nigerians.

He maintained that vandalism of oil installations in the Niger Delta region remains the most disruptive challenge to oil supplies across the nation.

According to Baru, “The need to encourage gas production to meet increasing national demand is paramount.

“FG’s Gas Master-Plan Policy was intended to address the gas supply situation in the country. The Policy details out major infrastructure expansion, gas supply development acceleration and revamp of gas commercial framework.

“We are addressing the nation’s gas supply challenges through the launching of the 12 Business Focus Areas.

“One of the key components of the #12BUFA is Gas Development whose strategic plan is to increase domestic gas supply by 2020.

“Under the Gas Development Plan, we intend to grow gas supply to support the power sector and stimulate gas-based industrialisation.

“We also intend to selectively expand our export footprint in high value and strategic foreign markets.

“Gas pipeline vandalism has been the most disruptive challenge to supply across the country.

“We appeal to the militants to stop the attack on pipeline infrastructure to enable us grow the gas industry for the benefit of Nigerians.”