The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri has assured that the federal government would ensure that businesses in the oil and gas sector of the economy continue to thrive without being hindered .
The Minister gave the assurance on Monday, 19th February, 2024, in Abuja at an engagement with leaders of various unions and associations in the downstream Petroleum industry.
The meeting was part of the government’s efforts at resolving some of the concerns raised by the stakeholders in a letter to the Minister.
Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa (Mrs.), the
Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry said this in a statement.
Acknowledging receipt of the letter, the Minister said: “Today, we have the opportunity to be able to address your concerns with a view to finding a common ground so that we can have a clear framework on how things should be done”
Lokpobiri stated that the government was ready to engage the stakeholders on issues in a bid to find solutions that would avert strike actions.
At the end of Monday’s interface with the stakeholders, the Minister said the engagement would still continue on Tuesday, after which they would be able to let Nigerians know the outcome.
While applauding the stakeholders for demonstrating patriotism, Lokpobiri emphasized that the issues had nothing to do with the government but are basically commercial.
He added that government had to intervene so that Nigerians would not suffer unduly.
Stakeholders at the meeting included members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO),Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
In attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb.Nicholas Agbo Ella and the Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority ( NMDPRA),Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
