L
LequteMan
Guest
Mr. Oluwaseyi Gambo, the National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Thursday in an interview with newsmen urged the Federal Government to review its decision to sale the nation's refineries proposed for the first quarter of 2014.
He encouraged FG to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill rather than outright sale of the refineries.
He said that the bill had provisions that would address and proffer solutions to the problems of the ailing refineries.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, had on Nov.18 announced that the four ailing refineries would be privatised by the first quarter of 2014.
However, Gambo said that the association was not averse to the sale of the refineries, provided it would be the best option.
“But we are saying that it is not the best option and it is not the best solution.
“Nigerians will not get the best out of this; it will just enrich some individuals to the detriment of others.
“That is why we are advising the Federal Government that it is not the best option for the country.
“But, if the Federal Government insists on privatising our refineries, it should be transparent and should do it through the Nigerian Stock Exchange where everybody will participate in the process.
He urged government to grant incentives for the development of private refineries alongside the existing ones.
Gambo also urged the Federal Government to make adequate fund available for regular Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries and provide adequate security to guarantee safety of the workers.
He encouraged FG to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill rather than outright sale of the refineries.
He said that the bill had provisions that would address and proffer solutions to the problems of the ailing refineries.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, had on Nov.18 announced that the four ailing refineries would be privatised by the first quarter of 2014.
However, Gambo said that the association was not averse to the sale of the refineries, provided it would be the best option.
“But we are saying that it is not the best option and it is not the best solution.
“Nigerians will not get the best out of this; it will just enrich some individuals to the detriment of others.
“That is why we are advising the Federal Government that it is not the best option for the country.
“But, if the Federal Government insists on privatising our refineries, it should be transparent and should do it through the Nigerian Stock Exchange where everybody will participate in the process.
He urged government to grant incentives for the development of private refineries alongside the existing ones.
Gambo also urged the Federal Government to make adequate fund available for regular Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries and provide adequate security to guarantee safety of the workers.