The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the illegal closure of a gas pipeline which provides approximately 200 million cubic feet of gas daily to cement factories and to Al-Khoms and Misurata power stations, is causing shortages in electricity supplies to the western region.
The Chairman of the NOC, Mustafa Sanalla described it as criminal and inhumane closure, saying it must end immediately without delay.
He added that at this critical juncture in the fight against COVID-19, some Libyans decided to abuse the situation and starve the capital of electricity.
“This puts more pressure on NOC to import large quantities of fuel, which is especially difficult due to the new restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the disease,” said Sanalla.
Meanwhile, NOC said that, with its subsidiary Brega Petroleum Marketing Company (BPMC), it is directing imported diesel to power stations that can use liquid fuels.
However, is said this will increase costs and put further pressure on reduced budgets, due to the ongoing disruption of local refineries as a result of oil blockades in the country.
Libya, ICC review more cooperation to hold violators accountable
The Head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, discussed in New York City with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, aspects