The Board of Directors of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) discussed the impact of the closing of oil facilities and spread of COVID-19 on its operations.
A meeting was held between the heads of oil companies and the NOC President Mustafa Sana’allah, in which he stated that the blockade which began on the 17th of January, led to a reduction in corporations budget for the year. This in turn, forced the NOC to impose austerity measures.
These measures included a reduction in operational expenses, and various work programs, “which will negatively affect the operations of the corporation and, consequently, the national economy,” Sana’allah said.
The meeting also praised the “positive role” played by the health and safety departments, and media offices of the various oil companies, in educating workers and the local population in the surrounding areas of risks posed by COVID-19. They also stressed the need to continue to provide support to these populations by supplying more medical aid and equipement to help limit the spread of the virus.