The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) has congratulated the Federal Government over the signing into law, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) last month by President Muhammadu Buhari, and its consequent enactment into the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Chairman of the group, Abdulrazaq Isa made the congratulations when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo recently. The chairman also solicited Federal Government’s support in protecting oil and gas facilities from attack, especially in the South-East.
He hoped that uncertainty issues and under-investment in the industry over the last few years will be beought to an end.
While commending the Vice President’s peace efforts in the Niger Delta in 2016, the IPPG Chairman said that Prof. Osinbajo has been a great supporter of the Group, adding that “your intervention helped in resolving the security situation that we faced in the Niger Delta region in 2016.”
Isa noted the incidence of crude theft are unprecedented and becoming unsustainable particularly on the eastern axis.
While soliciting Federal Government’s support securing investments in the sector, Isa disclosed the importance of gas in the emerging global energy landscape saying ‘’gas should be considered as a transition fuel with deliberate policies formulated to attract investment into the sector’’.
The chairman reiterated the Group’s commitment to partner with the Federal Government by saying ‘’IPPG remains committed to working collaboratively with Government in realising its aspiration for the sector,’’ Isa said.
In his response, Valuechain reports, the Vice President assured the group of the Buhari administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property, noting that government is open to suggestions that would lead to permanent resolution of the issue.
He commended the Group and assured them of government’s readiness to support their growth and development as critical stakeholders in the industry. Osinbajo also called for collaboration between the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector in advocating for a just and balanced energy transition agenda.
The delegation on the visit includes the immediate past Chairman of the Group, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Chief Executive Officer, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited; Charles Odita, Director, Midwestern Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited; Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy PLC and Oyeleke Banmeke, Executive Coordinator, IPPG Secretariat.
Valuechain reports that IPPG is an association of Nigerian indigenous Upstream Exploration and Production companies that constructively engages government and other industry stakeholders on issues affecting the industry with a view to realising a sustainable petroleum industry and maximise its contribution to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.