The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to make it mandatory for international oil companies operating in the country to build refineries.
In his May Day 2018 message, PENGASSAN’s President, Olabode Johnson, said there should be a legal framework that would compel the IOCs to refine a certain percentage of the crude oil they produce locally.
“There should be a legal framework allocating certain percentage of the production by international oil companies operating in Nigeria for refining in the country through a policy that will compel them to build refineries in Nigeria,” he stated.
PENGASSAN commended the 8th National Assembly for passing the first part of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill.
It said the feat could not be achieved by four generations of the National Assembly in 13 years and advised the current lawmakers to expedite action on the Petroleum Industry Administration Bill, the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill and the Petroleum Host Community Bill to ensure the delivery of the full benefits of the intended oil and gas reforms.
The association kicked against contract and casual employment, as well as offshoring of jobs, and noted that these were tactically and steadily taking over permanent employment and increasing unemployment in Nigeria.
It urged the government to step up security of lives as well as oil and gas infrastructure, curb pipeline vandalism and the attendant crude oil and petroleum products’ theft, ensure optimal functioning of the refineries to increase local refining capacity, and provide a conducive environment for private investors in the downstream sector.
“We are, therefore, reiterating our call for a stakeholders’ forum for the purpose of holistically examining the challenges confronting the nation’s oil and gas industry and proffer solutions to the problems,” PENGASSAN added.