The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has called for the new Minister of State for Petroleum to motivate the federal government of Nigeria to transport operators from the illegal refineries in the creeks to the national grid.
Mr Chinedu Anyaso, the Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, had made the suggestion during an interview on Tuesday, August 22 in Awka while extolling the newly-sworn in ministers.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri had recently been appointed as the Honourable Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, while Ekperipe Ekpo (Hon.) is the new Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources.
In Anyaso’s opinion, the new Minister of State for Petroleum (who is hails Niger Delta) should encourage the government to bring in the illegal refinery operators based in the creeks to the national grid.
“Rather than chasing down the ‘bunkerers’ and destroying their infrastructure, the federal government should encourage them to be a part of the solution, if only for a short term while we await the main refineries to resume operations. This will go a long way in reducing the pressure on foreign exchange.”