FG TO PRIVATIZE PIPELINES NETWORK

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said recently that, the Federal Government is set to privatize the petroleum products pipeline network in the country to minimize vandalism and ensure availability of products in the country next year.

Kachikwu, who stated this while touring products depots in Apapa area of Lagos, also said that by January 2016, any truck not tagged or fixed with trackers will not be allowed to load products. According to him, this is to check diversion of trucks after loading, which is one of the causes of scarcity in Nigeria.

He said: “Ultimately, we are going to look at pipelines early next year in January to see how we can privatize the management of these pipelines and get them out of these perennial problems. According to Dr. Kachikwu, if we are pumping directly through these pipelines, some of these problems will be reduced.

In his words, “all these problems added is not as big as the problems of the fact that the major participants are not bringing products. That is where the main problem is.”

The minister also said that the Federal Government is looking at refinery models to see how best to deal with the nation’s four refineries which have long been producing below installed capacity.

“In January, we are going to be looking seriously at refinery models. How do we deal with it? How do we bring people to assist us on technical and investment basis to get these refineries in much more consistent and permanent basis,” he said.

Kachikwu decried the sabotage and unpatriotic attitude of Nigerians who hoard or divert petroleum products to create scarcity and inflict pains on innocent citizens. According to him, about 26 cargoes with 30,000 capacity of petroleum products are being expected into the country in few days to come, so as to mitigate the effect of the current scarcity. He advised Nigerians not to embark on panic buying as the products will be sufficient for the December period and the New Year.  He emphasized that filling stations and depots that engage in sharp practices and product diversion must be sanctioned by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR.

Credit:   vanguardngr.com