By Adebisi Adeyemi Lagos, Nigeria
The Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on the people of Kano to individually assist in safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas facilities by watching out for pipeline vandals within their communities.
Emir Sanusi made this call while receiving the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, at his Palace in Kano, on Tuesday.
“I want to call on all our district heads, community leaders and the entire people of Kano State to consider safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas pipelines as a personal responsibility in their respective communities,” the Emir, who spoke in Hausa, stated.
The Emir, who stated that the Kano Emirate would set machinery in motion to ensure that all community leaders watch out for pipeline vandals within their domain, also carpeted the economic saboteurs for their unwholesome activities.
“Their actions have caused untold hardship on people’s lives and created huge negative impact on the environment as well as the economic prosperity of our nation,” the Emir added.
He particularly commended the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru for re-inaugurating the Kano Depot which had led to the restoration of loading operations in the state.
He said as the Centre of Commerce, Kano would soon experience the positive impact of the resuscitation of the Kano depot. “It is my hope that this development will also solve the power issues of our industrial areas in Sharada, Bompai and Challawa,” he noted.
The Emir also commended the GMD for bringing his personal attributes of honesty and integrity to bear on the operations of the Corporation.
“As someone I have known over the years for honesty and integrity, it is no surprise that the Corporation is recording remarkable milestones under his leadership.
“Whoever knows you and knows what should be done to revamp the NNPC will be happy with your appointment. We pray God to continue to guide you in the execution of this huge responsibility”, the Emir stated.
Responding, the GMD said his team was in Kano to re-commission the Kano Depot which has been down since January 2014.
He also thanked the Emir for his efforts at galvanizing the Kano community to help towards safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas assets.
