Reps Summon Diezani, Oniwon Over Kerosene Scarcity

The House of Representatives yesterday summoned Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources and Mr. Austine Oniwon, Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC over persistent kerosene scarcity in the country.

The two ministers are expected to appear before the House at plenary on July 7.

It also urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency rehabilitate all refineries in the country.

This was sequel to a motion co-sponsored by Reps Abiodun Balogun (ACN-Ogun) and Raphael Igbokwe (PDP-Imo) which was adopted by the House.

Leading the debate, Balogun said that it was appalling for Nigerians to buy kerosene, which was one of the main sources of energy in Nigeria at exorbitant price.

Balogun noted that the product had become so scarce that even when it was available, the common man could no longer afford it.

He said that the scarcity of the product would impact negatively on the environment as the users would resort to using firewood.

The lawmaker maintained that those in charge of the product kept passing the buck while scarcity of the product continued.

He advised the House to dialogue with independent marketers on the possible way to make the product available to the public.

“I don’t think we can continue like this, we should take up the challenge with independent marketers to dialogue with the National Assembly,’’he said.

Rep. Raphael Igbokwe (PDP-Imo) said that it was unfortunate that Nigeria as the sixth largest producer of oil in the world was experiencing scarcity of petroleum product.

Igbokwe suggested that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC be invited by the House to explain the reasons behind the scarcity of the product.

He said that there had been some makeshift arrangement to make kerosene available at some filling stations across the country.

Rep. Kareem Sunday (PDP-Kogi) said that kerosene was imported into the country at the rate of N48 and sold for N150 to the public.

He said that there was a need for the House to dialogue with stakeholders in the industry.

Rep. Garba Datti (CPC-Kaduna) attributed the persistent scarcity of the product to the taking over of the management of the product from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

He suggested that the management of the product should be given back to the DPR in order to check the scarcity of the product.

Meanwhile, Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke last Monday resumed duty with a pledge to continue the reform programmes of the Federal Government in the sector.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja signed by the Group General Manager (Public Affairs Division) of the NNPC, Dr Levi Ajuonuma.

It quoted the minister as stressing the need to fast tack the transformation agenda in the oil and gas industry in order to benefit all Nigerians.

“The goals of transforming the industry will be aggressively pursued in the interest of the country.

“We are here to do a job for the betterment of every Nigerian,” Madueke said, and called on all stakeholders in the industry to partner with the ministry in repositioning the sector.

At the occasion, the Permanent Secreatry, Mr Musa Goni, expressed joy at the minister’s return to the ministry,  adding that she was able to accomplish a lot in her first stint at the ministry.

Goni expressed commitment, loyalty and readiness of all the officials and staff in the ministry and its parastatals to support the minister in realising her vision and programmes.

The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Corporation, Mr Austen Oniwon, Group Executive Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the Parastatals were present to welcome the minister.

Oniwon re-assured the minister of the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of the management and staff of NNPC.

Our correspondent reports that Alison-Madueke was returned as the minister in the ministry after the swearing in of the first batch of ministers by President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday.