Crude oil production now two million bpd – Baru
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, on Tuesday stated that oil production in the country had risen from 1.2 million barrels per day to two million barrels per day.
Baru said this in an interview with State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He attributed the increase in oil production to the relative peace and stability being witnessed in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
He said he briefed the President on the activities of the NNPC and its subsidiaries.
Baru said his briefing also focussed on fuel supply across the country, crude oil and gas production, and the ability of the corporation to supply gas to the power sector.
He stated, “I briefed Mr. President on the state of the NNPC and its subsidiaries, and also nationally to get him briefed on the situation of fuel supply, crude oil production, gas production and by extension, ability to supply gas to the power sector.
“We had an extensive briefing as you can see. I passed here over two hours. I spent quite some time with him to discuss these national issues. He was happy with the state of the corporation and told us to continue with the efforts that we are making; and that if we need any executive attention, we should not hesitate to come back to him.”
When asked if there were plans to increase the prices of petroleum products, Baru said such a decision was not under the purview of the NNPC.