14th February, 2012
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke will this weekend embark on an assessment tour of the site of the recent fire outbreak that resulted from an explosion from a new gas well head at Funawa 5 gas platform along the Koluama River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state on the Drilling Rig KS Endeavour operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited.
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma quoted Mrs. Alison-Madueke as saying that the visit would enable the Federal Government to have an on the spot assessment of the situation at the gas leak site.
“In view of the likely environmental impact that may arise from the continuing fire, the Honorable Minister has also invited the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited to be part of this important visit,’’ Ajuonuma said.
It is also envisaged that the Minister would use the visit to appraise the impact of the incident on the adjoining communities in line with the Federal Government’s readiness to address the issues of environmental pollution wrought by the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas resources especially in the Niger Delta region.
Ajuonuma also informed that in line with the renewed move by the Federal Government to increase domestic refining capacity through the quick resuscitation of existing refineries, the minister will as well pay stop-over inspection visits to the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
“As you know a Task Force was recently set up by the Honorable Minister to among other things, speed up the planned Turn-Around-Maintenance of the three traditional refineries as well as come up with a workable action plan to help encourage the construction of more refineries in the country. The minister is leading the charge to give extra fillip to the Federal Government’s desire in this regard,“ Ajuonuma informed.