By Yemie Adeoye

FOLLOWING the recent bomb explosion in Abuja during the nation’s 50th anniversary, and the subsequent bomb scare in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as some major government buildings, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Austen Oniwon, has reiterated that there was no bomb scare whatsoever at the NNPC Towers as was speculated in some quarters.

Oniwon made this clarification when the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Bert J. Ronhaar, paid him a courtesy visit at the NNPC Towers in Abuja recently.

He maintained that contrary to the rumour that staff were evacuated from the Towers as a result of a bomb purportedly planted in the premises, the Towers is safe and that workers and visitors alike were going about their normal businesses unperturbed.

“I can confirm to you that there was no truth in the rumour that went round town that there was a bomb scare at the towers, rather the security department was carrying out routine security checks in the light of the bomb that exploded in Abuja on independence day. The security checks were being carried out in all NNPC installations across the country to forestall any eventuality in line with industry standard,”  Oniwon said.

According to him, management of the corporation directed the security department to carry out a security drill which is aimed at heightening security consciousness among the staff and all visitors to NNPC installations.

“There is no cause for alarm. The drill is a regular exercise that the Corporation carries out from time to time to assure our staff and all our visitors that we are on top of our security situation and to heighten our security alertness. The NNPC Towers is well secured and there is no threat of bomb scare anywhere,” Engr. Oniwon added

On the Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly, the NNPC GMD maintained that there was nothing in the bill that was inimical to the interest of the International Oil Companies, IOCs, doing business in the Country, noting that there is no way the NNPC would support a bill that is not in the interest of the IOCs with its 60 percent stake in all their investments in Nigeria.

According to Oniwon, the bill basically seeks to reduce the burden on small oil producers and increase government take in the hydrocarbon resources which will promote efficiency in the Oil and Gas sector.

The NNPC helmsman restated the readiness of the Corporation to negotiate terms with all parties in order to guarantee fairness to investors in the Petroleum sector.

In his response, the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Bert J. Ronhaar  expressed optimism that the law is in the joint interest of all investors in the Country, saying that since the IOCs share the benefits of the Oil industry, investors should be ready to share responsibilities in the global energy market.

Mr. Ronhaar said he was ready to act as an intermediary between Dutch Companies and other interested parties in order to build investment bridges between Nigeria and other European Countries.

West Africa Conference and Exhibition,” Dr Ajuonuma said. He adduced the rift that led to the disclaimer to a misunderstanding that arose from misinformation.

The president of NAPE, Isaac Arowolo, who led the association’s executive for the visit explained that the error in the advert that led to the misunderstanding was not deliberate, and that “it was the printer’s devil”.

He said NAPE has over the years enjoyed a very good relationship with NNPC, adding that NNPC is a corporate member of the association as well as the sponsor of the Managing Directors’ Lunch segment of the planned Conference.
Members of NAPE executive who accompanied Arowolo for the visit include President-elect,  Jide Ojo, and the University Assistance Program Chairman, Mayowa Afe.