AS FUEL SCARCITY LOOMS, PETROAN, OTHERS PROFER SOLUTIONS

As another fuel scarcity looms, PETROAN, others profer solutions

With queues already returning to some parts of the Federal Capital Territory, as fuel stations are already closing down, while black marketers are surfacing in some parts, the National President of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria PETROAN Dr. Billy S. Harry has accused the Nigerian Government of making it impossible for members of his organization to be having access to Petroleum Products directly from the NNPC unlike the major marketers.

In a telephone chat with the RPTVBLOGS Dr. Billy called on the federal government to create an enabling environment and level playing field in the marketing and distribution of Petroleum Products in the country by making it possible for the members of his organization to be making payments directly to the NNPC instead of the cumbersome and near impossible online payment currently in practice and also for the retail outlet owners to be getting the Products at the same price regime with the major marketers as this will ensure even distribution and availability of the Products anytime and anywhere.

Dr. Billy Harry also asked the federal government to remove the monopoly which favours only the NNPC to be the sole importers of Petroleum Products into the country, citing that allowing members of PETROAN to also import fuel would not only ensure availability but force a downward price review of the products.”

On a long term solution Dr. Harry said, “the government should as a matter of necessity encourage members of PETROAN to engage in the building of local refineries by putting in place policies with a human face in the oil sector which will make it easier for them to engage in such projects without let or hindrance, he said.”

Meanwhile a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), yesterday, in Abuja expressed concern over possible return of scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, as intrigues grow over the deregulation of the petroleum industry.
The CSOs, which vehemently opposed the position of Labour unions, especially the Nigerian Labour Union and the Trade Union, noted that any attempt to reverse the deregulation of the downstream sector would send Nigeria’s economy into coma and leave decades of economic woes.

The CSOs, led by the convener, Timothy Ademola, stressed that the market stabilisation witnessed in the past one year of deregulation, remained an indication that full deregulation is the way to go, if Nigerians would enjoy the benefits of their hydrocarbon wealth.
Considering the difficulty in raising enough fund to finance the 2021 budget, Ademola noted that the country must avoid a situation where the national oil company would be boxed, as the implication would mean fuel scarcity and the return of fuel queues.
He warned Labour unions not to constitute downright opposition to deregulation, but partner government on how to achieve patriotic, people-centered downstream sector, especially ensuring that national refineries are revived.
He said: “It will do our nation much good, if our respected Labour leaders spearheading resistance to deregulation would recognise that it has largely stabilised petroleum products supply over this past year.
“Once the foreign exchange issue that has made it difficult for major and independent marketers to engage in importation of petroleum products is resolved, the other gains of deregulation will kick in and Nigerians will be the better for it.”