National Oil Corporation (NOC) has expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the continued militarization of its fields after the commander of the southern region, Al-Mabrouk Sahban, entered the Sharara oilfield, which belongs to Akakus Oil Operations Company, by force, on Saturday August 29, 2020.
“Al-Mabrouk Sahban was accompanied by 20 members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG); in complete disregard for the precautionary measures taken by the company to prevent the spread of Covid-19.” NOC reiterated in a statement on Monday.
In a second instance of the PFG’s disregard for measures to counter the coronavirus, one of the foreign employees working in the field tested Sunday positive for the coronavirus as a result of his contact with members of the PFG.
“This is due to their permanent and uncontrolled presence in the field’s workshop for the maintenance and repair of their vehicles.” NOc indicated.
NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said the re-occurrence of such incidents threatens our workers’ lives and makes their work a nearly impossible task.
“We no longer have any authority that enables us to apply preventive measures against Covid-19. The Akakus administration is evacuating the field and will completely stop all its operations, which will result in the suspension of fuel supplies to the Ubari power plant, in addition to the potential theft and looting of the field”. Sanalla explained.
