Abuja – In view of the fact that the oil and gas sector is now of a critical importance in the nation’s economic survival, Rt. Hon.Yakubu Dogara has attributed the incessant scarcity of the Petroleum products to corruption, as well as managerial Incompetence as causes militateing against regular supply of petroleum products in Nigeria.
Speaking at Stakeholders technical roundtable organised by House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners, Hon. Dogara, who was ably represented by Rt. Hon. Lasu Yusuf said that against the backdrop of the challenges facing the Nigeria economy, the Roundtable had been conceptualised to provide an interactive interface for key players in this sector to come up with possible and sustainable solution.
“I wish to note that this Technical Roundtable underscores our deep appreciation of our responsibilities, obligations and expectations as the custodians of the Nigerian people’s mandate. ”
In his earlier address, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter O. Akpatason, said that the challenge of petroleum products scarcity in Nigeria which was an entirely Nigerian problem created by Nigerians had defied all solutions by successive governments and had become a stumbling block in the part of National development “.
Aware of the fact that the issue ought to be discussed by the House Committee on Petroleum, Akpatason said that Nigerians have a role to play as consumers of the product and the search for sustainable solutions to development challenges had to be an all-inclusive Affair.
Akpatason identified three pillars upon which the National development rest, which he said included the private sector, public sector, and the civil society as well as the search for lasting solutions that can only happen when all three pillars think together, while working together to achieve a common cause.
“This event is therefore deliberately design to provide an opportunity for stakeholders from both private, public
sectors and civil society organisations with thematic interest and experiences in the matter, to examine the issues critically with a view of identifying new ideas, initiatives, practice and solutions in the light of trending global developments in the Petroleum downstream sector”
“In the end, the meeting is expected to come up with practical recommendations based on, inclusively generated, perspectives and concrete findings which will be communicated to the Federal Government and other relevant bodies for addressing the situation on a more sustainable basis “.
