NNPC assures indigenous fleet owners of support on enhanced patronage

*The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pledges to ensure that Nigerian ships enjoy a greater patronage in the oil and gas maritime business henceforth

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

While restating the Corporation’s belief in the contributions of local players to development of the economy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed its readiness to support indigenous fleet owners to enjoy greater patronage and participation in the oil and gas maritime business in the country.

Dr. Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, in a statement Friday, December 4, 2020, said Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, gave the assurance while playing host to members of the Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee on a working visit to the NNPC Headquarters Wednesday, in Abuja, FCT.

Malam Kyari disclosed with the scale of the Corporation’s activities in the maritime sector, NNPC would get more active in the affairs of the Fleet Management Committee with a view to strengthening the synergy between the Corporation and the private sector of the economy.

The GMD of NNPC said: “We believe in this process, we will ensure that Nigerian ships enjoy a greater patronage in the business henceforth,” Kyari assured.

Earlier in his remark, Mr. Hassan Bello, Chairman of Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee, said Nigeria was losing $1.9bn to foreign ship owners annually.

Bello appealed to the NNPC Chief to encourage the Corporation’s subsidiaries to always engage indigenous shipping companies in their businesses.

The Committee Chairman also urged NNPC to grant local shipping companies the right of first refusal in crude oil lifting contracts.

Doing this would help to grow the economy and sustain their businesses, said he.

He noted that the Committee was set up three years ago by the Federal Ministry of Transportation with a mandate to promote Nigerian ownership of ships and vessels to enable local companies take control of the shipping business.

This is in line with the economic diversification policy of the Federal Government, he added.