Obiorah Anthony Ugwonwa
National Association of Surface Tank Oil and Gas Retailers of Nigeria (NASTROGN) has revealed that plans are under way by the federal government of Nigeria to establish tank farms and mini distribution centers in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGA) across the country for storage of petroleum products for both new and old petroleum marketer in Nigeria through public private partnership agreement.
Nze Ibeneme Frank, President of the association, during a sensitization programme organized by the leadership of the association in partnership with the National Orientation Agency, Anambra State Directorate, held at Engr.Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke Federal Secretariat Complex, Awka, said that the association is organizing a sensitization seminar in the 36 states of the federation for the oil and gas industry, as well train her teeming members on Health and Safety Environment (HSE) 1 and 2 in order to ensure total safety practices at the oil and gas installation.
“With the establishment of the tank farms and mini distribution centers for petroleum products storage, the retailers will have access to the products such as PMS, DPK, AGO and LPG in the country.
While appealing to Nigerian government at all levels to protect their members from intimidation and unnecessary harassment from the security agencies, the President of the association, called for establishment and management of surface tanks calibration and fabrication centers across the federation by the federal government.
“To achieve the federal government’s fight against illegalities in the oil and gas industry, such as smuggling, bunkering, and adulteration among others, it is our desire to ensure the welfare and protection of our members at all times,” he said.
According to him, the association was established in line with the initiatives of the federal government to grow the oil and gas industry; the downstream sector precisely, with a view to increasing local availability of the petroleum products, creating jobs and improving socio-economic development of the country through indigenous participation and private investment to fast track the establishment of modular refineries in Nigeria.
In a brief remark, the Anambra State Director, National Orientation Agency(NOA), Awka, Mr. Edozie Ajaegbu, described the event as an eye opener, stressing that when the organization approached him for the sensitization seminar, he did not hesitate to approve it, knowing fully well that it will not benefit only the Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers (COMO) of the Agency, but the entire Nigerians.
According to the Director, the programme was a compendium of knowledge because it has exposed participants to the nitty-gritty of the oil and gas industry in the country. He urged the participants, especially the COMOs of the Agency to help in disseminating the messages of the programmes at the grassroots in order to enable others benefit equally.
Comrade Edwin Ibeabuchi, the market representative, asked to know from the organizers of the event, how interested Nigerians could partake in the activities of the association and the benefits therein.
Also, Engr Nwobu Chinedu, the task force chairman of the association in Anambra State, urged the people to embrace the programme for their own good and total elimination of poverty in their lives.
The event, which was attended by Comrade Unuero Sylvester, the Imo State co-ordinator of the association, featured questions and answers from the participants.
