FOSSCCIMA Commends FG Efforts On Power, Energy

The Forum of South South Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCCIMA) has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan on the steps taken by the present administration to urgently resolve the power and energy crisis in Nigeria.

Describing the Federal Government’s steps towards power reform as wise and pragmatic, FOSSCCIMA said it would encourage the setting up of more power generating plants within the country through the instrumentality of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) platform.

These were part of the 22 resolutions contained in a communiqué issued after the body’s meeting held in Port Harcourt.

FOSSCCIMA stressed the need for adequate power supply in the socio-economic development of the nation, particularly at the present period that Nigeria is desirous of becoming one of the best 20 economies in the world in 2020.

The communiqué, which was signed by FOSSCCIMA President, Prince Billy Gillis Harry and seven others at the meeting held in the office of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA), promised to offer its competences and wealth of knowledge in the oil and gas sector of the economy to the Federal Government in its reform efforts.

It reiterated its stand against selling of refineries by the government but proposed leasing the refineries under the Maintain, Operate and Improve (MOI) strategy in the good interest of the nation.

Noting that there was an urgent need to build more refineries in Nigeria, especially through PPP, the group urged the government to provide more conducive and massive incentive drive policy that would encourage the setting up of more refineries in the country.

The communiqué further condemned the practice of engaging workers as casuals and contract staff by oil companies operating within the South South region, and stressed that the practice remains an issue that tended to exacerbate the tension in the region.

It noted the great strides achieved by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua within the short time that he was on the saddle of leadership in the nation, especially  the granting of amnesty to Niger Delta militants, curbing of wasteful budgetary expenditures by various ministries, commitment to the rule of law, describing them as milestones within his administration’s Seven Point Agenda.

Chris Oluoh