By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) has solicited the Federal Government’s support in protecting the oil and gas facilities from being attacked, especially in the South-Eastern part of the country.
The group also congratulated the government over the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and the subsequent signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) into law last month.
“Your intervention helped in resolving the security situation that we faced in the Niger Delta region in 2016”
In a delegation to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, led by its Chairman, Abdulrazaq Isa, the group congratulated the Federal Government for the enactment of the PIA, with the hope that uncertainty issues and under-investment in the industry over the last few years will come to an end.
IPPG also commended the Vice President’s peace efforts in the Niger Delta in 2016.
The IPPG Chairman said that Osinbajo has been a great supporter of the group.
“Your intervention helped in resolving the security situation that we faced in the Niger Delta region in 2016,” Isa noted.
Isa stated that the incidence of crude theft is unprecedented, and becoming unsustainable particularly on the eastern axis.
While soliciting the support of the Federal Government in securing investments in the sector, Isa disclosed the importance of gas in the emerging global energy landscape.
“Gas should be considered as a transition fuel, with deliberate policies formulated to attract investment into the sector,” he stated.
Isa reiterated the group’s commitment to partner with the Federal Government.
“IPPG remains committed to working collaboratively with the government in realising its aspiration for the sector,” Isa added.
In his response, the Vice President assured the group of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property.
He noted that the government was open to suggestions that would lead to permanent resolution of the issue.
The Vice President commended the group, and assured them of the 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 to the Vice President, led by Abdulrazaq Isa, consisted of the immediate past Chairman of the group and the Chief Executive Officer, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero; the Director, Midwestern Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Charles Odita; the Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Thompson Brown; and the Executive Coordinator, IPPG Secretariat, Oyeleke Banmeke.
IPPG is an association of Nigerian indigenous upstream exploration and production companies that constructively engages the government and other industry stakeholders on issues that are affecting the industry, with a view to realising a sustainable petroleum industry, and maximise its contribution to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.