IPMAN urges FG to leverage technology to fix local refineries
By Akinyemi Precious
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Federal Government to leverage homegrown technology to address the refining challenges in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
This was said by the Chairman of IPMAN’s Enugu Depot Community Overseeing Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Mr Chinese Anyaso in an interview.
In his words, he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s successful constitution of his cabinet and also voiced optimism that the newly appointed ministers would contribute significant value and guidance to the administration.
He specially congratulated the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Heineken Lokpobiri and encouraged him to draw upon his experience in the petroleum sector and his familiarity with the Niger Delta region to enhance the downstream segment.
He said that a sustainable resolution to the nation’s energy challenges lies in domestic petroleum product production mentioned the necessity for the Federal Government to engage in constructive dialogue with operators of illegal refineries, aiming to harness their technological expertise and integrate their activities.
In his words, “I expect that part of the Federal Government’s immediate plan is to get our local refineries working through the fixing of the four existing refineries and encouraging the establishment of modular refineries.
“The new Minister of State for Petroleum who is from the Niger Delta should encourage the government to bring operators of the illegal refineries in the creeks to the national grid.
“Instead of chasing them and destroying their infrastructure, the government should call them to be art of the solution, at least in the short term while we wait forthe main refineries to resumeoperations. This will reduce the pressure on foreign exchange.”
He called for the immediate estalishment of extensive conversion plants across all 36 states, enabling vehicle and generator users to transition to gas-powered engies and pressed for the Federal Government to heed IPAN’s proposal for the utilization of their Compressed Natural Gas network to expedite the energy transition.
