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The Akwa Ibom State ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources has reiterated the need to evolve policy aimed at enhancing effective collaboration in controlling the production, distribution and sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the three day National Council on Hydrocarbon in Yenagoa, Engr Emmanuel Inyang, head of Petroleum Resources, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources said the onus of its paper is to create awareness in the utilization of gas for domestic purposes, as well as spur Nigerians interest in the gas business.
According to him, “these businesses run through the different levels of the value chain of gas utilization, such as production, distribution and sales.”
Engr. Inyang, who represented the state commissioner of Environment and Petroleum Resources, posited that the state has observed that there has been violation of regulations, sharp practices in the siting, licensing and operation of gas plants and retail outlets in the country, and an equal danger in the siting of gas plants right in the midst of residential buildings, near restaurants, welding shops, mechanic workshops as well as other places with naked fire and parks.
He noted that retail outlets licensed to exchange gas cylinders, in line with specified operational guidelines, embark on cylinder to cylinder refill in a manner that poses serious risk of fire outbreak.
He also bemoaned siting gas plants and retail outlet in areas that violate government environmental regulations and master plan, and condemned the siting which has been responsible for incessant gas explosions that lead to loss of lives and properties across the country.
Inyang therefore urged the council to evolve a policy that will effectively monitor the operations of domestic gas business to save lives and properties as well as make policy that will promote effective collaboration and synergy among state and federal agencies in licensing and monitoring of operations of the downstream oil and gas business.
He also disclosed that to further boost the positive image of Akwa Ibom as one of the most peaceful oil producing states in the Niger Delta region with minimal crisis between oil producing communities and multinational corporations, the state ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Resources and companies, has planned to hold a workshop that would sensitive the state’s oil producing communities on the need for peaceful co-existence between the oil companies and their host communities.
Inyang said eminent personalities are expected to present papers on peace building for the audience which will be drawn from the traditional rulers, youth leaders, opinion leaders and various stakeholders.
He said the workshop is also to sensitize and enlighten the people on the need to foster cordial relationship to reduce restiveness which are inimical to improved production of oil and gas, which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.
Inyang further adduced reasons why Akwa Ibom State has continued to be the most peaceful oil producing states in the Niger Delta region, despite the preponderant of kidnapping of oil workers, pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering and other nefarious activities that have portend negative image, but have forced most oil companies to relocate their headquarters to other conducive and peaceful states with their attendant consequences.
He posited that to reiterate the need for peaceful co-existence between the oil companies and oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State, the state in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources is to organise a summit on how to sensitize and enlighten the people of Akwa lbom State.
He said the state government has been holding regular interface and dialogue between oil companies and state government on one hand and between the oil companies and oil producing communities on the other hand to avoid any friction that would impede peace in the state.
He also disclosed that the state has established a template on memorandum of understanding which the oil and host communities must study before operation to avoid cheating.
“Since the exploration and exploitation of oil began in Akwa lbom State, we have being peaceful with the oil companies,” he said.
Inyang said during the summit, experts and professionals in conflict resolutions are going to also enlighten Akwa lbomites on the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly as to enable them make inputs before its final passage.
He also disclosed that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board will not only deliver two papers, but will use the opportunity to educate the people of Akwa lbom State on the availability of the local content loan to assist indigenous oil companies and how to access it.
He disclosed that this novel collaboration between the state government and Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which will be attended by the state governor, Emmanuel Udom, will attract who is who in the oil industries, captain of industry, oil servicing companies, representatives of the host communities, traditional rulers, youth and community based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) the federal and state oil and Environment ministries, state and National Assembly members.