Amnesty: Nigeria produces 2.5 mbpd – NNPC (http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8952:amnesty-nigeria-produces-25-mbpd--nnpc&catid=85:national&Itemid=340)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said in Abuja on Tuesday that its crude production has risen to 2.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) following the amnesty programme. The corporation was producing about 1.7mbpd in the heat of repeated militant attacks on the nation's oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region before President Yar'Adua struck the amnesty deal.Mohammed Barkindo, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, said this when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike. He said the current production figure had not been seen in the last seven years."Gas production is also gradually recovering and there is improvement in the generation of electricity."For the first time since May last year, two of our inland refineries in Warri and Kaduna are now producing at optimal level. "And I think it will not be appropriate for us to continue this activities without calling on you to show appreciation," Barkindo said. "We thank you very much for the professional way you deploy your officers and men, who are always there to the rescue. "Energy security is equally tantamount to national security. Nations around the world equate their national energy security to their national development. "I want to put on record that officers and men have been helpful, very professional in their conduct and we must continue to benefit from your service," Barkindo said.According to him, the key question is how to sustain these improvements. "It is absolutely crucial that we should re-strategies ourselves by working closely with you and your officers to sustain these improvement that we have seen moving forward," Barkindo said. He said the collaboration was necessary, particularly at this time when government was more than ever determined to proceed with the reform in the oil and gas sector, particularly the deregulation of the downstream sector.Barkindo said: "The country is too large to be dependent on the importation of petroleum products. "We must be able to find a lasting solution, as without the crude line supply, it will be difficult to have domestic consumption. "Therefore, we will continue to urge you, in spite of constraints of resources, to bear with us and continue to provide the security required." In his remarks, Dike said the military would continue to support the oil and gas sector to cut down on acts of vandalism. He said the importance of oil in national development could be under-emphasised. "I realise that you operate in a very difficult terrain and I want to assure you that members of the armed forces will not relax in providing the necessary security to make sure you function effectively."
Source: Businessday :: News you can trust (http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage)