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Petrol Dealers Seek Bailout to Sustain Operations

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The effect of the Covid-19 on businesses around the world has not spared the oil sector with the downward trend of crude in the international market compelling the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The prices were slashed initially from N145 to N125 and few days later slashed down again to N23.

5 a development that forced retailers to cry for intervention.

The retailers under the aegis of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Thursday, appealed to the federal government to support its members with soft-loans to cope with reductions in petroleum products prices.


The appeal was contained in a statement by the association’s National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, and Assistant National Secretary, Ogbuefi E. Erasmus, and made available to Newsmen in Abuja.


PETROAN, while lauding President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, for showing leadership and compassion to the feeling of the ordinary Nigerians, by twice reducing the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as ‘petrol’, also noted that its members had incurred huge losses, which could send most of them out of business, if there is no fast intervention.


It, however, registered its commitment and that of all its members to comply with government’s compassionate move of price reduction, and in the same breath pleaded with the President to direct relevant government agencies to urgently arrange an intervention fund to be managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and be given out to PETROAN members as soft loans to sustain their businesses with.
“We, the members of PETROAN, as obedient citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and partners in progress with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are very willing to obey and comply with the new reduction in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit as this, we are confident, will help reduce the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigeria Economy.


“However, our association wishes to bring to the notice of the Federal
Government the challenges of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners in Nigeria. Our members have recorded massive losses from 19th of March 2020 when the first reduction was announced by the Federal Government. 
“With the further reduction in price by the Federal Government our members again will lose a sizable amount of money, which will impact negatively on their buying power, which will inevitable spiral down to reduction in patronage of the government approval petroleum products distribution depot.


“We therefore wish to appeal to the Federal Government, PPPRA and other relevant stakeholder to come to our aid by urgently setting up an intervention fund to be midwifed by the CBN and disburse to our members in form of soft loans so as to cushion the effect of the PMS price reduction on the businesses of our teeming members and to guarantee to replenish investible capital”, the statement said

vid-19 on businesses around the world did not spear oil sector with the downward trend of crude in the international market compelling the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petroleum from N145 to N125 and few days ago slashed it down to N23.5 a development that forced retailers to cry for intervention.


The retailers under the aegis of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Thursday, appealed to the federal government to support its members with soft-loans to cope with reductions in petroleum products prices.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued and signed by the association’s National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, and Assistant National Secretary, Ogbuefi E. Erasmus, and made available to The Nation in Abuja.


PETROAN, while lauding President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, for showing leadership and compassion to the feeling of the ordinary Nigerians, by twice reducing the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as ‘petrol’, also noted that its members had incurred huge losses, which could send most of them out of business, if there is no fast intervention.
It, however registered its commitment and that of all its members to comply with government’s compassionate move of price reduction, and in the same breath pleaded with the President to direct relevant government agencies to urgently arrange an intervention fund to be managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and be given out to PETROAN members as soft loans to sustain their businesses with.
“We, the members of PETROAN, as obedient citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and partners in progress with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are very willing to obey and comply with the new reduction in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit as this, we are confident, will help reduce the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigeria Economy.


“However, our association wishes to bring to the notice of the Federal
Government the challenges of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners in Nigeria. Our members have recorded massive losses from 19th of March 2020 when the first reduction was announced by the Federal Government. 


“With the further reduction in price by the Federal Government our members again will lose a sizable amount of money, which will impact negatively on their buying power, which will inevitable spiral down to reduction in patronage of the government approval petroleum products distribution depot.


“We therefore wish to appeal to the Federal Government, PPPRA and other relevant stakeholder to come to our aid by urgently setting up an intervention fund to be midwifed by the CBN and disburse to our members in form of soft loans so as to cushion the effect of the PMS price reduction on the businesses of our teeming members and to guarantee to replenish investible capital”, the statement said

NEWS

NGEP Urges Gas Reticulation In Buildings

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By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 29, 2025 The National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) has called on stakeholders to promote the integration of gas reticulation systems in estates, districts, and industrial areas, following best practices seen in developed countries.

Chairman of NGEP, Prof.

Mohammed Ibrahim, made the call on Tuesday during the Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), FCT Chapter, in Abuja.

The conference, themed “Gas Reticulation in Building: Design, Safety, Environmental Compliance and Prospects for Builders,” focused on enhancing energy infrastructure in Nigeria’s built environment.

Ibrahim noted that with Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, gas reticulation offered a sustainable solution to improve energy accessibility, affordability, and reliability in homes and businesses.

“Gas reticulation in buildings presents a compelling pathway to a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient built environment.

“By prioritising sound design principles and ensuring strict adherence to safety and environmental standards, we can unlock the full potential of natural gas to drive progress,” he said.

He highlighted the key benefits of gas reticulation, including energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, versatility, and reliability.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, Samson Opaluwah, stressed the importance of capacity building for safe and efficient gas distribution.

He said this involved training engineers, technicians, and other professionals in system design, installation, and maintenance, while also strengthening regulatory frameworks and encouraging local innovation and manufacturing.

The Chairman of NIOB, FCT Chapter, Usman Okehi, emphasised the growing need to incorporate gas systems in residential, commercial, and industrial developments across Nigeria due to rising energy demands and gas availability.

According to him, with this advancement comes the need for strict adherence to design standards, rigorous safety protocols, and full environmental compliance.

“It is our responsibility as professionals and regulators to ensure these systems are functional, safe, and environmentally sound,” Okehi said.

He described the conference as a platform where stakeholders could explore the evolving landscape of gas infrastructure in building projects, share best practices, examine safety and environmental considerations, and assess future opportunities for builders in the sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Institute of Building is the professional body for builders in Nigeria. It traces its origins to the Builders’ Society, established in London in 1834.

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Oil & Gas

FG Inaugurates Committee to Enhance Gas Distribution in Urban Buildings

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The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has inaugurated a Technical Working Group to enhance gas reticulation practices in Nigeria’s building industry.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nicholas Ella inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) between the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) on Wednesday.

Reports= says that reticulation refers to the process of creating a network of pipes or tubes to distribute gas or other utilities to buildings or industrial sites.

The permanent secretary restated the importance of creating energy smart cities, saying that modern urban development relies on efficient gas and utility distribution systems,

“Most modern cities in developed countries have evolved to energy smart cities where energy, specifically gas and other utilities are piped to districts and estates.

“However, one of the key tools in creating energy smart city is the National Building
Code which, in essence, sets the guidelines on Building Pre-design, designs, construction and post-construction stages,” he said.

The permanent secretary reiterated the benefits of reticulated gas systems for households and businesses alike, adding that it ensured metered supply akin to water and electricity,

According to him, it eliminates the need for cumbersome refills, and also enhances safety by burying pipes and incorporating advanced safety equipments.

“The TWG is tasked with designing a comprehensive policy to implement best practices for gas reticulation using LPG, PNG, and Bio-Gas across Nigeria’s building sector.

“Key responsibilities include reviewing the current National Building Code, examining global gas distribution systems, and proposing quality standards for materials used in gas installations,” he said.

The permanent secretary emphasised the need for rigorous safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the efficient and safe use of gas in construction.

He urged the group to prioritise environmental sustainability in its recommendations, adding that the group is expected to submit its report by Nov. 15.

Earlier, Mr Samson Opaliwah, the Chairman of CORBON. expressed the council’s commitment to collaborate with the group to ensure safe uptake of gas for use in houses and housing estates in Nigeria.

“I assure you of the williness of CORBON to leverage the expertise and resources at her disposal to ensure that steps are put in place for gas infrastructure in buildings and estates.

“The gas infrastructure will be safe, sustainable and world-class.

” Our collective efforts will yield clear, standardised guidelines for safe and effective gas systems in buildings, matched with a skilled workforce to meet growing demands in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

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Oil & Gas

Utilise Oil, Gas Industry Report as Tool for Public Debate – NEITI

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The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has urged stakeholders to utilise its 2022/2023 oil and gas report for civic engagement, constructive dialogue, and public debate.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made the call at the report’s public presentation on Thursday in Abuja.

The report was unveiled by Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Sen.

George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, NSWG, NEITI and other dignitaries.

Orji emphasised the report’s significance in guiding policy, encouraging public debate, and improving governance in natural resource management.

He highlighted the report’s comprehensive data on revenues, governance structures, operations, and compliance within the oil and gas sector.

Speaking at the public presentation of the report, Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency principles.

Olukoyede pledged to investigate the report’s findings and recommendations, noting that NEITI’s previous reports led to the recovery of over N1 billion.

The report is available on NEITI’s website, providing valuable insights into the sector’s performance and challenges.

The presentation was attended by Chairmen of National Assembly Committees, captains of industries, members of diplomatic missions, development partners, civil society organisations and the media. (NAN)

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