On Wednesday, the Chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengadra issued a decision assigning Ayman Abdel-Mawla Al-Mismari as the Director General of the NOC’s Benghazi branch.
Bengadra stated that “oil production has increased to one million and 75,000 barrels per day.”He had previously announced the lifting of the force majeure at all fields and ports, and the end of the blockade.
“I gave instructions to start oil production and raise the state of force majeure. We appreciate the efforts made by all local and international parties,” Bengadra said.
The NOC Head pointed out that the Board of Directors “continues to perform its duties impartially, away from political squabbles, pledging transparency and disclosure away from improvised individual action.”
He vowed that “the Corporation will operate away from political strife, and this vital sector will not be politicised.”
In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Bengadra said that he is not aligned with a specific party. “We will not have a regional, tribal, political, or ideological affiliation. We are professionals and will deal with the highest levels of transparency and governance,” he said.
He denied that his Board of Directors came via a political deal. As well as reiterating that the NOC will be “very transparent and the revenues that it will obtain will be announced clearly. We will not be with any party to this conflict, and we will be a tool to improve the income of Libyans, increase production, and develop the oil sector in a manner befitting Libya.”
Bengadra expressed his optimism about the potential in the Libyan oil and gas sector. “These capabilities, if properly invested, will return a lot to the Libyan people.”