September 26, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery to allow independent marketers to lift petrol from the refinery.
The directive follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved at plenary on Thursday, by Hon. Oboku Oforji, the member representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State.
Presenting the motion, Oforji said, “The House is worried that NNPCL and the major marketers as exclusive off-takers spell monopoly, which is equivalent to greed. This is the same NNPCL that has failed to manage our crude and refineries for decades.
“If this monopoly is not nipped in the bud, the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the scarcity of PMS will continue and we all know the implications on the economy.
“No wonder the late MKO Abiola of blessed memory, in a viral video some years ago, lamented that the NNPCL lacks transparency and accountability.
“The House is disturbed that allowing the NNPCL and major marketers to lift Premium Motor Spirit from the refinery to the exclusion of independent marketers is not good enough. IPMAN representatives have expressed fears that it may be forced to resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses.”
Commending Dangote Group for the commencement of petroleum refining, Oforji said, “The House notes that by this feat, Nigeria is driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuels and attracting foreign capital investment.
“The generation of forex through the export of finished products, conservation of foreign exchange and huge value addition will contribute to an increase in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
“The House further notes that given the high demand by millions of Nigerians for PMS, and the ordeal they go through to get it, NNPCL should allow independent marketers to lift the product from the Dangote refinery.”
While adopting the motion, the House urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire or partner with stakeholders to get Tank Farms or depots across the geo-political zones in the country to enhance petroleum availability to the people.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has inaugurated a panel chaired by House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere to serve in a joint committee of the Senate to investigate the crisis bedevilling the petroleum sector and proffer recommendations on the way forward.
Other members of the committee are Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) among others.
