Take Over Petroleum Sector PENGASSAN Boss Tells Buhari

The National President of the Petroleum and National Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Olabode Johnson, has said there is nothing wrong if President Muhammadu Buhari doubles as minister for petroleum for 18 months or throughout his tenure.
 
Recall that Ibe Kachikwu, group managing director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has said that refiners are working at 30% capacity but President Muhammadu Buhari won’t permit to sell them.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, the association head advised the federal government against the sale of refineries stressing that government can ensure that private investors also establish their refineries.

“That would mean the government can also be held down by these individuals as we saw before the general election whereby marketers held the country to ransom. Such can lead to other unforeseen problems. However, if private investors are also encouraged, there will be challenges but when there is no political interference and once turnaround maintenance is done promptly, the country will benefit. This will reduce the issue of petroleum subsidy to the barest minimum and Nigerians can benefit from its God-given blessings,” he said.
Speaking on if President Muhammadu Buhari heads the petroleum ministry for 18 months or throughout his tenure, Mr Olabode said it is a good idea.
“In my opinion, it may be a good idea as former President Olusegun Obasanjo had set a precedent during his tenure under this democratic dispensation. Buhari has a good knowledge of the industry because under the military regime of Obasanjo, he was the pioneer chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and also the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Gas. Under him at that time, some good policies were formulated including the building of refineries.
“Also, if you look at it when Obasanjo doubled as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, there was stability in the industry. It was then that Dr. Gaius Obaseki was the Group Managing Director for about four years. There was stability even in policy formulation and implementation. But if the President decides to head the petroleum ministry it can guarantee stability. Also, it will eradicate bureaucratic delay always experienced in the industry because the GMD will not need to wait for any minister to get approval from the President. He will be reporting directly to the President. It is not a bad idea.”


He also spoke on his association’s stand on the removal of oil subsidy and the industry cabal. He was however not sure if the Buhari administration can bring the cabal to book.
He equally condemned the use of kerosene as aviation fuel describing it as scandalous and in human and could lead to a national crisis.