All refineries shut down, NNPC to step up importation

Federal government has declared that the nation’s refineries that were recently returned on stream have all shut down operations due to various security and technical problems.

Therefore the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has stated its resolve to intensify importation of petroleum products into the domestic market to ensure steady supplies.

Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said the management of the corporation has put measures in place to fast track the return of the refineries as well as keep the market wet while repair works lasted.

In explaining the current state of the refineries, he said the recent pipeline breaks at the Egwa and Bantan axis in the Niger Delta have affected crude oil supply to the Warri Refinery.

He added that the corporation has responded to the situation with serious efforts to fix the lines and resume operations as soon as possible.

On the Kaduna Refinery, he said the facility would be shut down on November 5, 2008 and handed over to Contractors in preparation for the mandatory routine Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) scheduled for November 15, 2008.

The contractors whose names were not mentioned are expected to finish works within the two months and hand over the refinery to the owners by early next year.

"It is expected that the contractors will conclude TAM and hand back the refinery to NNPC Management on January 15 2009," Dr. Ajuonuma stated.

The operations of the Port Harcourt Refinery have been affected by Power problems, he also said, adding that all hands were on deck to sort out the problems and restore operations as soon as possible

"Meanwhile NNPC wishes to assure the nation that arrangements have been put in place to ensure normal supply of products to the public throughout this period.

The arrangements that would be installed, the corporation’s spokesmen clarified, includes massive importation of petroleum products by both the Pipeline and Products marketing Company (PPMC) which shoulders the burden of internal fuel supplies to a multiplicity of marketing firms in the country.

"We count on the cooperation of all well meaning Nigerians as we seek to resolve these challenges," Dr. Ajuonuma said.