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Government Declares NNPC Lacks Funds to Rebuild Aging Pipelines
Government Declares NNPC Lacks Funds to Rebuild Aging Pipelines....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) does not possess the necessary funds to reconstruct its outdated pipelines. This declaration was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, during the recent Energy and Labour Summit 2024 in Abuja, organized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
While addressing the urgent need to address the divestment of international oil companies and enhance production levels, Lokpobiri highlighted the critical condition of Nigeria’s pipelines. He emphasized that many of these pipelines, built in the 1960s and 1970s, are now old, corroded, and beyond their lifespan.
“Even if we can produce more than 1.7 million barrels of crude oil, the challenge lies in transporting it to the terminals,” Lokpobiri noted. He pointed out that the deteriorating state of these pipelines makes them vulnerable to vandalism, as they are easy targets for theft and damage due to their age and condition. “The pipelines are completely corroded, making it simple for anyone to tap into them,” he explained.
According to Lokpobiri, although more advanced and expensive pipeline technologies exist, the NNPC currently lacks the financial resources to implement these upgrades. “I don’t think NNPC has the money to replace these pipelines,” he stated. To address this issue, he called for public-private partnerships (PPP) to attract private sector investments, which he believes are essential for revitalizing Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
Building Investor Confidence
Lokpobiri emphasized the importance of restoring investor confidence in Nigeria, which he claims has been lacking for the past 12 years. “When this government came into power, we worked to rebuild that confidence, and investors are beginning to return,” he said.
He further discussed the issue of fuel smuggling, attributing it to the fact that NNPC imports fuel and sells it below the market cost. “Nigeria plays a critical role in the energy security of Africa, which is why our imported products often find their way into neighboring countries,” he stated, noting that the pricing structure is a significant factor in fueling smuggling operations.
Lokpobiri also addressed the challenges of supplying crude oil to local refineries, including Dangote. He expressed concerns that unless production increases, local refineries may face shortages. “Our goal is to ramp up production, as this is crucial for the success of midstream and downstream operations,” he explained.
Support for Local Refineries
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting local refining efforts by ensuring an adequate supply of crude. “Supporting local refining is essential. We will seek investors to explore and extract this crude to meet our domestic needs while also generating revenue through exports,” Lokpobiri said.
He pledged that the Federal Government would foster a competitive environment for both large and small refiners, ensuring fairness in the market. “Healthy competition is vital for the industry’s growth, and we will provide the necessary support for all refiners operating in Nigeria,” he concluded.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Regional Development, has organised a high-level sectoral retreat bringing together top officials of the ministry and Regional Development Commissions to improve coordination, accountability, and project execution nationwide.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The retreat, taking place from April 15 to 18, 2026, at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, is being spearheaded by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh.
At the opening session, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, while the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mary Ada Ogbe, was also present.
In his keynote address, Momoh described the gathering as a strategic effort to strengthen collaboration between the ministry and regional commissions in line with the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu. He noted that the creation of additional commissions across the six geopolitical zones underscores the government’s commitment to addressing regional imbalances and unlocking economic growth.
He stressed that although the commissions have different regional mandates, they must work towards a shared national goal of inclusive and sustainable development.
Highlighting existing challenges, the minister pointed to issues such as project duplication, abandoned initiatives, and rivalry among agencies. He said the government would prioritise better coordination and accountability to improve results.
Momoh also announced plans to focus on completing ongoing projects before initiating new ones and revealed that performance bonds would be introduced for commission leaders to ensure efficiency and transparency.
He further emphasised the need to explore alternative funding options, including public-private partnerships, while maintaining strict financial discipline and due process.
According to him, key focus areas include infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, digital connectivity, security, and empowerment for youths and women, all aligned with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister added that development efforts must remain people-focused, inclusive, and result-driven, with active stakeholder engagement at every stage.
The retreat is expected to produce practical strategies that will enhance collaboration among regional bodies and improve development outcomes across the country.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has convened a high-level security meeting with former governors and key stakeholders in a renewed effort to address the ongoing wave of violence in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that the meeting comes amid fresh attacks in parts of Plateau State that have left several people dead and properties destroyed, worsening security concerns in the North-Central region.
The gathering follows recent violence in Anguwan Rukuba and nearby communities, where dozens of residents were reportedly killed, adding to years of recurring insecurity that has claimed many lives, including women and children.
The closed-door meeting, held at the Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, brought together former governors Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, and Joshua Dariye, as well as former military administrator Rear Admiral Samuel Atukum (retd.) and other key stakeholders.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Mutfwang said discussions focused on security, welfare, and the overall development of Plateau people, with special attention on the recent attacks in rural communities.
According to sources, participants reviewed the security situation and expressed deep concern over continued loss of lives and destruction of property.
The stakeholders reportedly agreed on a united approach to restoring peace, strengthening unity, and promoting peaceful coexistence among communities.
They also resolved to develop stronger frameworks to address the root causes of the violence, anchored on values of discipline, courage, and patriotism.
The late Brigadier General Oseni Braimah was reportedly on a phone call with his twin brother moments before he was killed during a terrorist attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that the incident, which occurred on April 9, 2026, claimed the lives of the senior officer and several other soldiers.
A family source told Vanguard that the General was speaking with his identical twin brother, who resides in the United Kingdom, at the time of the attack.
According to the source, the twins maintained a daily routine of speaking around midnight, but the conversation took a sudden turn that night when unusual activity was noticed at the General’s end.
He said the line went dead abruptly after the General paused during the call, apparently due to the unfolding situation at the base.
The twin brother reportedly made repeated attempts to reconnect, sending messages and calling continuously, but received no response throughout the night.
“He kept trying until about 4 am, but there was no answer,” the source said.
The family later confirmed the tragedy after a senior military officer contacted them around 6:30 am, informing them that the base had come under attack and that the Brigade Commander was among those killed.
The relative described the incident as devastating, noting that communication had broken down during the assault.
The late General was later buried alongside other fallen soldiers in Maiduguri, Borno State.
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