Nigeria: Deregulation is Key Solution for Fuel Shortages
|
|
|
|
Friday, 19 February 2010 |
|
Chairman of the Governing Council of Petroleum Pricing Regulatory
Agency (PPRA), Senator Ahmadu Ali, has stated that deregulation of the
petroleum downstream oil industry is the solution to the fuel crisis
affecting Nigeria.
Senator Ali, former PDP national chairman, led the PPRA governing
board for a facility verification tour after the completion of
maintenance at the Kaduna refinery. He told local media that "The
Kaduna refinery is a fantastic project that the government started; but
unfortunately, it is not being properly maintained. “The 7th turn
around maintenance had just finished and they will start production
very soon, which is very encouraging in the situation which we find
ourselves. If crude supply from the South is uninterrupted, we will
soon be able to supply enough products in the market."
He also reiterated that change in management style is crucial for the
smooth and efficient running of the nation's refineries. "That's why we
have to make sure that they operate on a commercial basis. This will
help us reduce the cost of fuel at petrol stations; because if the
products are available, there is no need to hike price at all. So,
deregulation is the only answer. There is no doubt about that."
PetrolWorld 170210
|
