Participants at NNPC Ltd sensitization programme in Borno State
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Commercial drivers and commuters in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria, have called for the establishment of more retail stations by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) as the company concluded a sensitization exercise in the state.
During the NNPC Ltd sensitization program aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the oil and gas industrý’s role in national development, five major Parks were visited in Borno state for various interactive and enlightening sessions.
At the parks, which included the Tashan Kano Park, Berger Park, Borno Express Park, Tashan Balance Park, and ElKanemi Park, drivers who poured eulogies on the company for taking the bull by the horns, through highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future engagement.
Two drivers with Kano Line, Mallam Ahamadu Yau, and Mahammadu Dan Inna charged the company to increase the number of its outlets in the state.
“No one here will say he or she is not impressed with efficiency and cost effectiveness in NNPC Ltd retail outlets. These explain the reason many still drive some distance past some stations to go and buy fuel at the NNPC,” Yau said in Kanuri language.
“While we commend the investment decisions of the NNPC management, we urge them to invest more in the establishment of more outlets. This will help more drivers and commuters, and above all, it will help the federal government’s policy on energy security,” Dan Inna added.
Corroborating Dan Inna’s view, a driver with Borno Express, Saminu Yakubu, assured the NNPC Ltd of full support and collaboration of stakeholders at all the Parks.
On CNG, the drivers asked that the conversation team come to their parks and covert a few. Let them really see if it saves as said.
The drivers also complained about the opening and closing time of The NNPC STATION that the time should be extended. They requested for NNPC mini fuel stations around the parks.
Key objectives of the Sensitization by NNPC Ltd include promoting transparency, fostering community engagement, and addressing public concerns.
The first park visited was Tashan kano Park, where the team arrived at the park at 8:45 am and met with the union leaders and committee.
After the lecture, questions and answered sessions followed, and later, the event moved to the lucky dip session where three customers won free fuel voucher and got a free full tank at the nearest NNPC filling station.
There were other exciting gifts such as NNPC engine oil, rechargeable fans, shirts, and faces cap given to everyone in attendance.
