The House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to expedite the rehabilitation of vandalized pipelines that link to the Ore depot in Ondo State, with the objective of facilitating the immediate resumption of operational activities at the facility.
This resolution was adopted following the presentation of a motion by Rep. Festus Adefiranye (APC-Ondo) during the plenary session on Wednesday.
Inaugurated in 1979 with a 22 million liter capacity, the Ore depot is essential for petroleum distribution and price stability, Adefiranye noted.
He stressed its importance as a hub for the South-West and surrounding states, facilitating economic activities and lowering transportation costs for consumers and marketers.
Rep. Adefiranye stated that the pipelines responsible for supplying and evacuating products to and from the Ore depot have been subject to vandalism for an extended period without any remediation efforts.
This prolonged neglect, he emphasized, has resulted in a disruption of petroleum product supply, an increase in the costs of such products, and undue hardship for Nigerian citizens.
Restoring the Ore depot’s functionality would significantly reduce road accidents, vehicle wear, fuel costs, and operational risks, according to Adefiranye.
He further emphasized that the facility’s neglect undermines federal efforts to diversify the economy, create jobs, and improve business conditions for petroleum-dependent SMEs.
Adefiranye argued that revamping the Ore depot would improve fuel availability and affordability, boost economic activity, create jobs, and increase government revenue.
Speaker Abbas then directed the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) to assess the depot’s condition and ensure prompt restoration.