FG To Integrate Local Refiners In Petroleum Production To Boost Output, Reduce Pump Price

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang yesterday disclosed that the government has concluded plan to hold a National Conference on the integration of Artisanal/Modular Petroleum refinery operations in the country to improve the capacity of the products.

Disclosing this at a news conference on in Abuja, Enang
explained that the conference was not for the purpose of legitimising illegal mining operations but integrating the operators into the legitimate refining process.

“And, the intendment of the conference is to mobilise these resources so that we can bring the prices of refined petroleum products down to below N100 per litre.” Enang added.

He said that the outcome of the summit would help to crash the prices of petroleum products in the country.

Adding that the aim of the conference was for the purpose of integrating local refining capacity into the refining of petroleum products such as petrol, kerosene, diesel and other petrochemical products.

According to him, the essence of the conference is to mobilise all Nigerian assets including technologists, engineers and other relevant disciplines including the persons who have been producing petroleum products at the creeks.

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He said, “as the cost of crude goes higher, the cost of refined petroleum products goes higher but if we refine these petroleum products in Nigeria, the cost will be very low.

Enang further said that the conference would help to protect the environment.

According to him, this will stop all illegalities and create more employment for Nigerians.

He also said that the urgency of holding the conference was because the National Assembly had promised to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by April.

“Most of the issues that will be addressed at the conference are such issues that will require legislation, so any agreement that will be reached which requires legislature will be accommodated in the PIB,” he said.