Yemisi Izuora
Oando Marketing has begun massive downstream expansion exercise that will help in facilitating petroleum products reception and distribution across the country.
Under the expansion drive Oando would construct production reception jetty, partner with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for effective wagon distribution of products.
So far the company has spent about $1billion to expand existing facilities in Apapa area in Lagos State.
Chief Executive Officer, Oando Marketing, Yomi Awobokun speaking at the commissioning of the marchalling yard (phase II) and a 250 meter lenght Sapara street linking its terminal base in Apapa, assured of more investment in its community-based project initiative in the next two years.
He said the Sapara street was the second phase of the project, while the first phase of 400 meters lenght has been earlier commissioned in that area.
According to him, the road project, which formed part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) would have meaningful impact on the neighbouring residents and companies.
He said: “The base had been cited here since about 50 years ago, before the errection of residential buildings, now that the Apapa area is well developed, the roads are becoming more busy and the road infrastructure are decaying.
We are proud that we are leading the quest to restore the glory of Apapa. We have invested close to $1 billion in the last 12 months. The road and the marchalling yard cost over $3 million and we will continue to invest in the next two years,”.
Awobokun disclosed that the company has is working relentlessly to complete and commission the Phase I of the marchalling yard in the next three months and the two facilities has a combined capacity to accommodate about 90 trucks on completion.
He also disclosed that the company is also working on a new petroleum jetty in Apapa are expected to be commissioned in the next three months.
This, project, according to him, would ease product delivery; create more jobs and improve the welfare of the host community.
He further noted that the company trains over 2000 people in the community yearly, “and will continue to give back to the government in taxes and to the community in welfare,”
The Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing, Mrs Olabosi Williams, said the new jetty is aimed at decongesting the NOJ jetty in Apapa and enhance product distribution in the country.
She stated that facility would have capacity to accommodate a 30,000 metric tones mother vessel and reduce demurage incurred due to congestion.