PENGASSAN demands Buhari’s blueprint on petroleum sector

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has expressed worry over what it described as absence of a governing blueprint for the petroleum sector five months after assuming power by President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Speaking yesterday at the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) PENGASSAN branch’s triennial delegates’ conference in Abuja, the National President of the association, Francis Johnson, said there is need for the sector to be guided by a clear-cut blueprint that will provide the direction the sector is headed under the current administration.

Johnson, who argued that the association does not believe in piecemeal approach to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), said: “We think that the PIB can be passed as it is. What is needed is the political will to ensure its passage. For us, every part of the bill is important. There is no part we can leave for the future. The government should find appropriate will to ensure the National Assembly passes the bill in its present form.”

While lamenting the incessant vandalism of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Arepo in Ogun State, Johnson called for establishment of a military base at the site to provide 24 hours security. He also called for a review of pipeline installation techniques and the maintenance policy.

“There is need for regular surveillance by core experts to evaluate pipeline integrity and proffer necessary action, well-coordinated security network, strict enforcement of pipeline right of way and review of enabling legal instruments for sanctioning violators and defaulters.

“There is need for creation of a specialized security agency for monitoring and securing of pipelines. Such agency’s offices should be strategically located in troubled areas. PENGASSAN condemns the frequent vandalism of the pipelines and the attacks and killings of our members in PPMC who are saddled with the responsibility of repairing and maintaining damaged pipelines at Arepo in Ogun State. We have made many recommendations to government on how to curb this menace.