NNPC Retail to partner Navy on security of floating mega stations

*Sir Billy Okoye

Ike Amos

Abuja — NNPC Retail, the downstream subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Sunday, said it has revved up plans with the Nigerian Navy to ensure effective service delivery and security of its Mega Floating Stations across the Niger Delta region of the country.

In a statement by the NNPC in Abuja, Managing Director of the NNPC Retail, Sir Billy Okoye, said the company was engaging the Navy to provide adequate security for its badges and other facilities routinely deployed for effective operations of the FMS.

Okoye explained that as part of the effort to activate the process, the management of NNPC Retail paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian Navy Chief of Training and Operations (CITOPS) Rear Admiral Tariworio Dick, where far reaching measures were emplaced after fruitful deliberations.

He explained that smooth operation of the 12 Floating Mega Stations would help to guarantee petroleum products penetration in the far recesses of littoral communities in the Niger Delta region in line with the aspiration of the NNPC management to ensure operational efficiency across all tiers of the industry value chain.

He said, “It is on record that the FMS concept was actualized with the phased deployment of the stations beginning from 2007 through 2009 with the ultimate goal of eliminating the perennial challenge by residents of coastal zones in accessing petroleum products.

“However, the volatile security situation in the terrain through the years have made it challenging for the corporation to fully achieve set goals and targets in this regard.

“The FMS are presently located in six states namely; Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo. Each of the states have two FMS.”