Energy Security Coalition (ESC), a network of Nigerian-based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), has hailed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) for working assiduously to find solutions to energy needs of the country.
The coalition said the NNPCL’s regular update and action, taking into cognizance the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), is aimed at realising the Nigerian energy dream.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja, the Convener of ESC, Frank Tietie, said the group’s role in the energy sector is engagement and collaboration in view of the confusion raised by the Dangote Refinery, especially on its pricing of petroleum products.
Tietie said while the coalition will not join issues with Dangote Refinery, it’s important for Dangote Refinery to come out clean on pricing of its petroleum products and work closely with the NNPCL for the interest of the country in order to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
He said while the NNPCL is working tirelessly to fulfil its statutory obligations as the supplier of fuel for consumption, Dangote has been very economical with the truth with regards to its operation especially its pricing of petrol, which has been opaque.
He said the expectation that Dangote Refinery was going to be a game changer has failed, urging Dangote Refinery to take appropriate steps to address the confusion it has created in the sector.
Tietie, who’s the Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), the lead Organisation in ESC said the coalition “will operate autonomously and impartially in the Nigerian oil and gas sector as an advocacy group, to promote understanding, transparency, and functional utility of Nigeria’s petroleum resources to the benefit of all Nigerians.”
He said the establishment of ESC is “in response to the pressing issues related to the availability and pricing of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria,” noting that “petrol is a key driver of the Nigerian economy and has been a major topic of discussion, laden with claims and counterclaims that could negatively and significantly affect the well-being of people across all social classes.”
He stated that it’s critical that urgent steps are taken to tackle challenges in the sector especially with regards to accurate information and solutions.
He stressed that “despite the challenges it is facing, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has been working to fulfil its statutory obligations as the supplier of last resort for security reasons, as mandated by Section 64 (m) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which is crucial in providing national energy security and economic stability for Nigeria.
“Therefore, the Energy Security Coalition is committed to exploring collaborative approaches to ensure an informed citizens-driven intervention in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”
“This intervention,” he said, involves “engaging all stakeholders,” with “the potential to give the welfare and interests of all Nigerians the highest priority in the implementation of the policies and programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies in the petroleum sector. This work offers hope for a brighter future for Nigeria.”
The Coalition urged all well-meaning groups across the country “to join its collective stance in taking active positions on all issues in the oil and gas sector.”
He said active participation “is crucial, particularly regarding the correct pricing of petroleum products, the transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the menace of oil theft and all other ancillary matters in the petroleum industry that would affect Nigeria’s national security, the economy and well-being of Nigerians,” in order to engender effective solutions.
The group emphasised that “the task of finding solutions to Nigeria’s myriad problems requires collective efforts and engagement. As a coalition of civil society organisations, we seek a transparent and well-intentioned governance regime for the petroleum industry.
“This is for the benefit of all Nigerians, including the interests of the Federal Government and the NNPC, which now operates as a profit-driven private entity but still has statutory obligations to ensure energy security for the Nigerian economy.”
NNPCL Working To Fulfil Nigeria’s Energy Dream – Coalition is first published on The Whistler Newspaper