Anambra to retool petroleum sector

PLANS are underway for a total turnaround of the petroleum sector by Anambra State to attract maximum earning from its economic potentials.

  Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, stated this yesterday in his keynote speech at the maiden Petroleum and Lubricant Dealers’ Summit which was held in Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka.

  He spoke as representative of Gov. Willie Obiano at the business roundtable.

  According to Chukwulobelu, the petroleum sector remains a cash cow that government cannot ignore or allow to waste in its internally generated revenue drives, adding that every necessary step will be taken to reposition or calibrate it.

  “This sector is a top revenue earner and employment of labour, but without the product, an economy grinds to a halt. We are full aware of the continuing mishaps caused by these product transporters on innocent citizens. At this stage, the government and private sector must interface to amicably come up with commendations to ameliorate this unnecessary destruction of lives and properties. The issue of pricing, distribution and others are to be fully attended to. The government is committed to making Anambra State safe for ndi Anambra, residents and business investors,” he said.

Chukwulobelu also inspected some of the products sampled by the dealers, during which he noted the imperative of carefully examining these products to ensure that their quality is not only guaranteed, but meets global standard.

  Earlier in his remark, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Obiano on NUPENG, Petroleum and Union Matters, Peter Nwosu appreciated the governor for approving the summit and ensuring that it was held.

  “The aim of this summit to educate and devise ways of transacting, transporting petroleum products without causing harms and havoc. It is on sanitising the sector, and identifying the role of the government and private sector. There are various agencies that are participants and key players in this sector, the Federal Road Safety Commission, Fire Service Command, Department of Petroleum Resources, the Civil Defence Commission, the Awka Capital Development Commission(ACTA) and a host of others. It is also important to applaud the governor for his approval and allocation of 20 hectares of land to the union for the parking of their trucks. We pleaded for this some time ago, and few weeks back, it was granted. This will help take the trucks off the road and reduce accidents of all sorts’ that are caused by the trucks and their drivers. I assured the governor that I will ensure that the DPR is working in Anambra State.

  Today, DPR is resident in Anambra. We are also working on getting aquila issuing point in Anambra State because Anambra is a major key player in the petroleum sector having the most numbered fuel stations in Nigeria,” he said.