The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, has called on the public to remain vigilant and actively participate in efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines and power plants.
He issued a stern warning, stating that vandalism poses a significant threat to the nation’s economy, national security, and overall development.
Soneye made these remarks during a workshop and engagement session with select Kannywood Artistes held in Abuja on Tuesday. During the event, he emphasized the company’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s energy sector and underscored the importance of protecting national assets.
He highlighted NNPC’s contributions to power generation, its unwavering commitment to energy sustainability, and its support for key projects such as the Dangote Refinery.
According to him, NNPC Ltd is a major player in Nigeria’s electricity supply, managing the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant and co-owning the Afam VI and Okpai 1 & 2 power plants, which collectively have an installed capacity of 1,132 megawatts (MW).
Soneye reiterated that NNPC Ltd is focused on driving Nigeria’s energy sustainability and fostering economic growth. He added that the company is at the forefront of a gas revolution aimed at transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape.
He also revealed that President Bola Tinubu is expected to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for five mini-LNG plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
These projects, he explained, demonstrate NNPC’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources to boost industrialization and power generation. Nigeria is estimated to have approximately 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves.
Soneye further disclosed that NNPC secured a $1 billion loan backed by its crude oil to support the Dangote Refinery during a period of liquidity challenges. He stressed that this strategic decision underscores NNPC’s dedication to fostering public-private partnerships that drive national development.
He also noted that NNPC declared profits for the first time in decades and has already surpassed its profit projections for 2024.
Additionally, he mentioned that the company facilitated the $3 billion Gazelle loan, which played a crucial role in stabilizing the federation during a challenging foreign exchange crisis.
