Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, has called on the downstream operators to take advantage of the ease of doing business policy of the state.
Making this call at the Downstream Operators Stakeholders’ Forum organized by the ministry in Benin City, Hon. Enaholo also warned them against under dispensing, selling of adulterated products and other forms of sharp practices, as government will not hesitate to clampdown on any filling station found wanting.
He said, “Edo State Government, under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, is people-centred; the interest of Edo people is our priority. We totally disagree with any practices that will deepen the sufferings of our people. I have given you two weeks to tell your members to adjust their pump to what is acceptable worldwide. The people have suffered enough from fuel subsidy removal. Someone cannot get PMS at such a costly price, and you still adjust your pump.
“The Taskforce will not fail to fish out those selling adulterated PMS and gas. Any marketer found wanting will be dealt with according to the law of the land,” the commissioner warned.
Hon. Enaholo unveiled plans by government to reposition the sector for more investors and investments to come into the state, noting that a database of all licensed downstream operators will be launched in earnest.
The commissioner disclosed that plans to build a tank farm is in the pipeline to address the issue of marketers going far to source for products, adding that a truck park will also be built in the three senatorial districts.
According to him, “Edo State is an investor’s destination. The challenges of security and power have been removed by the Governor. Edo State security architecture has been heavily invested upon, while the Ossiomo Power Plant is on standby to supply power. Our governor saw ahead of others, and he is the first to launch power in Nigeria. Edo State is the best hub for business. A lot of investors are coming into the oil and gas business in the state, and they will be working with the people that are already on ground. So, we need a list of your members who are duly licensed for the database. It will be an added advantage which at a click, investors will be sure of their off takers and those they will be dealing with when they come.”
He further added, “We have designed a master plan for security system. When you dial 739, it will take you to the security agency’s control room, where you will get prompt response. The issue of trucks parking on major roads will be addressed. Truck parks will be built in the three senatorial districts of the State.”
The permanent secretary of the ministry, Engr. Ferguson Enabulele, said that the forum was organised to brainstorm on how problems bedeviling the sector could be addressed.
He noted that the coming of the commissioner to the ministry was timely, as he will no doubt deploy his wealth of experience to tackle the issues headlong, and urged stakeholders to be civil in making their submissions.
Present at the meeting were the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Kingsley Uwagbale; Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Arch Joshua Omokhodion; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adaze Aguele-Kalu; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Ferguson Enabulele; Directors of the Ministry; Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN); Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN); the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM); Civil Society Groups; officers of the Fire Service; Department of Security Service (DSS), and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Hon. Enaholo also met with upstream operators, where he harped on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the need for harmonious co-existence between them and their host communities.
