By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has tasked the management of Shell BP on speedy completion of current repairs on the vandalised Forcados Gas Terminal in Delta State.

The Vice President gave the charge on Friday while on a fact-finding mission at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Available reports from the Presidency showed that the damaged oil installation was responsible for the recent power failures in most areas of the country as the flow of gas to the terminal was cut off.

Osinbajo was accompanied to the site by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Shell officials led by Country Chairperson, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, and officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, NNPC, led by the Chief Operating Officer for Upstream, Mr. Bello Rabiu.

He regretted that the power supply, which he said had peaked at an unprecedented 5000Mw, a few months ago had dropped significantly.

He said: “I came here on the instruction of the President, who is concerned about the damage done to Forcados. I came here to see for myself and underscore the great implication for the nation’s economy.

“Many people do not even know that power supply is hampered by what is going on here.

“What is going on here affects the Nigerians and the economy. The damage done to Forcados affects our oil earnings but also as important is the power aspect.

“Forcados is a major source of gas. About 40 percent of our gas supply is affected, leading to the problem of power supply in the country.

“The damage done to Forcados terminal is the chief reason for the poor power supply that has affected the country recently. The President is particularly concerned about this outstanding gas projects.”

There is, however, an interim alternative arrangement by NNPC to supply gas to the plants for which the Vice President expressed satisfaction. One of such methods included trucking.

“We have seen the alternative steps taken by NNPC to ameloriate the damage done and the problem associated with getting gas from that terminal to all of our plants,” he said.

He disclosed further that “there are efforts being made by the Federal, state governments and communities to tackle current vandalism challenges.”