National Assembly alone can effect oil sector reforms — PENGASSAN

Following reports that the Petroleum Ministry will soon introduce policy reforms in the oil and gas sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that only the National Assembly can effect such reforms.

In a statement by PENGASSAN signed by Comrade Emmanuel Ojugbana, National Public Relations Officer, the union stated that “PENGASSAN wishes to state unequivocally, that it is not aware of any known channel other than the National Assembly with powers to either repeal or enact laws on existing corporations and agencies duly set up by law.

“It is a known fact that the association has been at the fore front of eventual passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly. PENGASSAN had severally made its input known including job security, job creation, transparency in fiscal regime, infrastructural development, promotion of local content, local refining capacity, community development and wealth creation for Nigerians.”

While exercising tremendous restraint at joining issues, the union said it owes it a duty to the general public and all stakeholders to state that PENGASSAN is completely in the dark with regards to the proposed industry road map.

PENGASSAN said it has continued to serve as the voice of reason within the Nigerian set up insisting on genuine reforms that will sanitize the system and regain the confidence of Nigerians and Stakeholders in the industry.
The association said it will support any initiative aimed at revamping the oil and gas industry just as it will challenge under-development and impoverishment of Nigerians under the guise of restructuring.

“From the foregoing, we wish to advise a second look at our initial observations and clarifications with regards to the passage of the PIB. On our part, we assure Nigerians of our total commitment to service delivery, job security, job creations, diligence and hard work that will grow and expand the frontiers of the Oil and Gas sector of the economy,” it said.

It may be recalled that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, recently launched Draft Petroleum Sector Reform Policy 2016 which aimed at scrapping the NNPC, DPR, PPPRA and privatize the refineries.