The NNPC has pledged to improve the strategic Atlas Cove terminal to ensure unimpeded supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country.
A statement signed by the acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs Department of the NNPC, Mr Fidel Pepple in Abuja on Monday said the corporation would make the depot viable.
According to him, the depot stores 60 per cent of the nation's petroleum products.
He said the corporation had improved the depot’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility to handle vessels of up to 80,000 DWT.
Pepple debunked reports of alleged inefficiency and dilapidation of the depot.
“I can confirm to you that the premium motor spirit (PMS) Tank 12 was reconstructed in 2004 to increase its capacity from 1800 cubic metres to 23,000 cubic metres, while Tanks 31 and 32 were rehabilitated in 2005/2006 and are all serviceable.''
Pepple added that work has started on the reconstruction of PMS Tanks 11 and 21.
He said that when completed, it would add 50 per cent to the existing PMS storage capacity which now stands at about 58,000 cubic metres.
Pepple stated that a new calm buoy had been installed in 2010 to guarantee security of product supplied through the SPM.
“Contract has already been awarded for 10-inch Fire Hydrant Ring Mains to enhance safety at the terminal and the construction of a new 16-inch pipeline on a new route to complement the existing line.
“The PPMC is also pursuing the restart of the optimisation project aimed at the construction of three new tanks each of 50,000 cubic metre capacity for PMS, AGO and DPK to increase the depot’s storage capacity by 150,000 cubic metres.''
The spokesman stressed that the corporation, through the PPMC, had been conducting repairs on the depot in phases due to the high budgetary requirements.
Pepple said that the reconstruction of the New Atlas Cove Jetty Facilities damaged by militants in 2009 had been completed.
He reassured Nigerians that the corporation would continue to improve on all its facilities across the country to ensure security of petroleum products supplies.
?
?