Expert canvasses for online payment of loading and dispatch of petroleum products expenses

AN expert in marketing and distribution of petroleum products, Mr Ademoroti Emmanuel, has canvassed for online payment of loading and dispatch of petroleum products expenses to end the incessant crisis engulfing the union in the sector.

Currently, it was gathered that most of the union like IPMAN, PTD, and OGASON are involved in one crisis or the other over union dues.

He said the establishment of a central portal system which will enable payment of loading and dispatch dues, accrued to unions, be paid into a central portal system for onward distribution to legible unions and associations in good time.

According to Emmanuel, the system will not only check the cause of the crisis among the leadership of the unions and members, but will also ensure accountability, at the point of revenue collection.

He noted that the crises that has engulfed some plants especially the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), can be attributable to the availability of liquid cash in the hands of dues collectors.

“Recently there was a crisis at the KRPC plan, Kaduna, that resulted in fatalities and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) leadership tussle has been on for the past three years, all because of controlling dues.

“This is not limited to KRPC but other loading depots in Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt are not exempted, he stressed.

“Therefore, this central portal system will not only bring transparency and accountability but will also stop unabated crisis rocking the union. It will also pave way for the leadership to use the money for welfare that will benefit members,” he said.

The only way to collect dues according to him is to bring in this technology whereby dues are paid directly in an organized union account through the central portal system.

Investigation reveals crisis that is riddling unions like; IPMAN, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Oil and Gas Supply Association of Nigeria (OGASON), would have been averted if this system is put in place, whereby dues are paid at the point of loading. This will enable remittance to various union accounts without necessarily passing through the hands of their leaders.

The expert called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of State on Petroleum; Dr. Ibe Kachiku, Chairman House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream); Hon Joseph Akinlaja and Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream); Senator Kabiru Marafa, to wedge into this issue in order to have a conducive business environment.

He said now that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has improved on its products procurement by introducing online payment, the union should also follow suit.