12,000 Youths Get Pipeline Protection Jobs

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has re-iterated the Federal Government’s resolve to protect the over 5,000 kilometres of vital crude and petroleum products pipelines across the country as well as other key oil facilities to guarantee effective sustenance of the laudable achievements in the oil and sector within the last 12 months.

In a press statement issued by Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the minister was quoted as saying that the drive to ensure adequate protection and security of the nation’s strategic oil and gas assets has led to the engagement of over 12,000 able bodied youths in the Niger Delta to provide security for key oil pipelines within and around their immediate communities.

Dr. Ajuonuma emphasized that the scheme which was initiated by the Petroleum Ministry under the watch of Mrs. Alison-Madueke is an integral part of the on-going Federal Government’s amnesty and re-habilitation programme for Niger Delta Youths.

The NNPC spokesman stated that the initiative has succeeded in reducing the incessant pipeline vandalism which in turn has increased crude oil production from meager 1million barrels per day about a year ago to the current level of combined crude and condensate 2.6million barrels per day.

“Our pipelines are now becoming more secure, which means that capacity utilization of the refineries is also now on the increase as more refined products can be moved via pipelines,’’ Dr. Ajuonuma stated.

Dr Ajuonuma also announced that the Minister has approved the take-off of phase four of the ongoing Chad Basin exploration activities which is projected to generate over 3,000 jobs for youths in the North East part of the country.

‘`As we progress to other inland Sedimentary basins it is anticipated that our host communities will benefit both directly and indirectly from the exploration activities in their neighborhood,’’ Ajuonuma explained.

He called on all Nigerians and critical stakeholders to cooperate with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC in achieving their collective mandate of ensuring that Nigerians reap bountifully from their God-given hydrocarbon resources.