The President of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Mr Benneth Korie, has blamed the poor road infrastructure across the country for the delays in the distribution of petroleum products.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Korie emphasised the urgency of addressing the nation’s poor road network to enhance the efficiency of petroleum deliveries.
“Road is very important,” Korie began, stressing the critical impact that road conditions have on the oil and gas sector.
“You will agree with me that roads contribute to the delays in the distribution of petroleum products in this country. It is very important to fix the roads. The major problem we face in the distribution of petroleum products is the roads,” he said.
He called on the government to ensure that funds allocated for road infrastructure projects were effectively utilised.
“Let the government keep to their words. When they say they are awarding contracts for road infrastructure and have paid money, they should make sure the money is paid, not on social media, then the people can hold the contractors accountable,” he said.
The NOGASA president also discussed the need to review the diesel price, as it impacts the cost of petrol.
“I always talk about the reduction in the price of diesel. I will give you very simple mathematics,” he said. “If I buy PMS at N600/litre for example and diesel for N1350/litre, if I’m taking it to Maiduguri to sell, don’t expect me to sell that PMS at N650/litre. It’ll go for N750/litre.”
He underscored the need for a holistic approach to improving the petroleum supply chain, which includes better road infrastructure. He called on the Federal Government to prioritise road repairs and ensure that contractors are held accountable for timely and quality work.
Korie also praised the efforts of private sector players like Aliko Dangote, whose new refinery is expected to bolster the industry. He urged that products from the refinery be made accessible to a wide range of stakeholders to ensure balanced distribution across the country.
“To ensure a balanced distribution, I urge that Dangote’s refined products be made available to a broader range of stakeholders, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Trading, NNPC Retail, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, and Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria.
“Others include the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria. This inclusivity will facilitate sustainable and widespread distribution nationwide,” Korie said.
He also addressed other pressing issues such as smuggling, multiple taxation, and the need for improved security at border points to curb illegal petroleum exports.
He reaffirmed NOGASA’s commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to ensure a stable and prosperous oil and gas sector.
“Our joint efforts and timely actions in these areas will pave the way for a more stable and prosperous industry,” Korie said.
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