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By Ochai Monday
Engr Sanusi Abdul-Fari, National President, IPMAN
Following the signing of Engineering Procurement and Construction EPC contract for rehabilitation of portharcourt refinery, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of state for petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva and the Group Managing Director GMD of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari for turning their words into action as it relates to efforts of returning the refinery into functional state.
This is contained in a press statement IPMAN made available to newsmen in Abuja Tuesday and signed by its National president, Engr Sanusi Abdul-Fari saying for the on-going deregulation of the downstream sector to make sense, Federal Government FG must improve on local refining capacity. ” This contract signed today is a flagship exercise in the the whole activities and must be commended.
“As stakeholders in Nigerian petroleum industry and key players in distribution of products in the country, it is pertinent that we lend our voice on every good step taken to improve the sector and condemn any bad one. The idea of bringing back to life our dysfunctional refineries is a welcomed development which must be applauded” the statement expressed.
“It is inconceivable that a nation with abundant intellectuals that can compete favourably in their field any way in the world will allow international market to determine its local price of product due to lack of local. refining capacity. Well, it is not too late in the day. Since president Buhari’s administration has the interest of the masses at heart an has chosen in its wisdom to put a smile to the face of petroleum consumers by enhancing availability through improved local refining, the onus lies in all Nigerians to support the initiative” the statement added.
The statement further highlighted that “For us in IPMAN, we have confidence in the experience, capacity and commitment of the GMD (NNPC) who signed on behalf of Nigeria government in area of making the right choice and delivering on the project. The chosen contractor Maire Tecnimont SpA is an Italian group comprising 50 companies in the engineering, technology and energy sectors. It specialises in the engineering of oil and gas installations, chemicals and petrochemicals, green chemistry and technologies serving the energy transition. it’s selection was very competitive and transparent. All these are indications that this time, the government is serious about rehabilitation of the refinery. Therefore we call on all Nigerians to support the project”.
“Like the GMD rightly pointed out in his speech, ‘that the government admitted it made mistakes in turn around maintenance TAM of the refineries over the years which perhaps cast doubt on this particular project’ but however clarified that the NNPC will maintain a high level of transparency in the process of carrying out this particular works now. We in IPMAN is proud to be associated with the present administration and it’s drive to put refinery in order” the statement concluded.
