Petroleum Marketers urges NASS for speedy passage of PIB, as it affects oil and gas operations

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed to the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which has lingered for too long.

Alhaji Abdulkadri Aminu, Chairman of Board of Trustees, IPMAN made the appeal in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.

The bill has been pending for over nine years since 2007 before the sixth National Assembly.

Aminu said that the appeal became necessary following the benefits of the PIB to Nigerians, workers in the petroleum sector and also the synergy between the bill the nation’s ongoing economic reforms.

“ We are appealing to whosoever is concerned about the passage of the bill to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians and make it open on the progress that is being made regarding the Petroleum Industry Bill.

“The National Assembly and other concerned authorities should be committed to passing the Petroleum Industry Bill because IPMAN believes that it is going to bring major reforms in the industry.

“We are hoping that very shortly the committee saddled with the deliberation on the bill will bring forth the report of the bill and give it an accelerated hearing.

“This will make Nigerians and those who are in the industry to begin to have the benefits of the reforms intended by this bill,’’ he said.

The IPMAN board chairman also urged IPMAN members to ensure steady supply of petroleum products to Nigerians in their various stations.

He stressed that the national economy depended on the downstream sector for sustainable growth.

He said that IPMAN members under the leadership of the National President,  Obasi Lawson had restated their commitment in ensuring stable services in the petroleum sector.

He urged members to develop a sustainable model that would ensure uninterrupted national fuel supply chain.

IPMAN boss also challenged government to develop national rail for petroleum products haulage blueprint, against the backdrop of successes recorded in the revamping of the railways.

He expressed the IPMAN leadership commitment to end the shortage of petroleum products to member’s stations in very nocks and cronies.

Aminu, however, commended Dr Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director, NNPC and Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for the stability and growth in recorded in the downstream sector.

He said that the association is partnering with NIMEX petroleum to import 100,000 metric tonnes of petrol that would ensure seamless product supply to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

Aminu said that IPMAN members controlled over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s petroleum products retail outlets, a development that made the association a dominant player in the nation’s downstream sub-sector.

He urged members to focus on growing the nation’s downstream petroleum sub-sector, adding that this has become imperative following global challenges and the dynamics of the sector.

According to him, IPMAN members need to focus on how to improve the socioeconomic growth than creating national disorder

“We urged members to embrace peace and unity among one another to move the association forward towards achieving the best desired.

“The current administration under the leadership of Obasi Lawson will ensure credible transition of new members in the near future.