By Jude Michael
Plans are under way by the federal government to establish tank farms and mini-distribution centres in the 774 local government areas across the country for storage of petroleum products for both new and old petroleum marketers in Nigeria through a public-private partnership arrangement.
The Anambra State Chairman, National Association of Surface Tank Oil and Gas Retailers of Nigeria, NASTOGRN, Nze Frank Ibeneme, disclosed this during a sensitization programme organized by the association in partnership with the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Anambra State Directorate, at Engr Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke Federal Secretariat Complex, Awka, recently.
Nze Ibeneme explained that ‘With the establishment of the tank farms and mini-distribution centres for petroleum products storage, the retailers will have access to the products such as PMS, DPK, AGO, LPG and grease in the country.’
He appealed to the Federal Government to also establish surface tanks calibration and fabrication centres across the federation.
While arguing that the NASTOGRN was established in line with the initiatives of the Federal Government to grow the oil and gas industry, with a view to increasing local availability of petroleum products, create jobs and improve socio-economic development of the country through indigenous participation and private investment to fast tracking the establishment of modular refineries in Nigeria, the Chairman advised government at all levels to protect members of the NASTOGRN from intimidation and unnecessary harassment from security agencies.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Director, NOA, Mr Edozie Ajaegbu, described the event as an eye opener, stressing that it would benefit not only the Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers of the NOA, but also the entire Nigerians.
According to the Director, the programme was a compendium of knowledge as it had exposed the participants to the nitty-gritties in the oil and gas industry in the country. He urged the participants, especially the Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers of the NOA, to help in disseminating the messages of the programme at the grassroots to enable others to benefit equally.
The event, which was attended by the Imo State Coordinator of the association, Comrade Unuero Sylvester, featured a question and answer session by the participants.
