The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the National Assembly to review some controversial provisions of newly passed Petroleum Industry Bill.
IPMAN in a press release signed by IPMAN National President, Chief (Dr) Kolawole Adewoyin and National Secretary, Dr. Engr. Suleiman Raimi maintained that the passage into law of the Petroleum Industry Bill is a great achievement under President Muhammadu Buhari and the current National Assembly, but however called on the lawmakers to review some controversial provisions in the bill.
IPMAN stated that a particular provision in the Petroleum Industry Bill that restricts the import licence of petroleum products to only few refiners in the country will not augur well for the industry.
“As an association, we believe it is wrong to limit the importation of petrol to only those who have active refining licenses without considering the small players.”
The Association also called for the inclusion of IPMAN members on the board of the industry regulators, saying that that the inclusion will ensure accountability and transparency in the industry.
IPMAN added that it is in support of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN) on both unions’ positions that some of the controversial provisions in Petroleum Industry bill should be revisited.
IPMAN also asked the lawmakers to also take a cursory look into the provision of the PIB law that gives approval for the continuation of the NNPC’s Direct Sale Direct Purchase contract, which is fraught with inconsistencies.