The Imo State House Of Assembly Committee on Oil And Gas has interfaced with the members of the Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers And Dealers in a move aimed at ensuring availability of petroleum products at uniform prices, ensuring public safety and friendly environment in cooking gas station installations, eradication of oil bunkering activities and ensuring participation of Imo marketers in the gas revolution by the Federal Government.


During the interaction which took place on Wednesday, July 24, at the conference room of the Imo State House Of Assembly complex, the Chairman, House Committee On Oil And Gas,  Hon  Uzoma Francis Osuoha appreciated the petroleum marketers and dealers for their doggedness, in the face of petroleum distribution challenges and ensuring availability of the products in the State. 


 Osuoha, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency, however noted that there were issues necessitating the interaction with the House Committee, including:


1. Petroleum distribution and variation of prices.


2. Irregular and illegal proliferation of cooking gas outlets within unauthorized areas in the state.


3. Oil companies and the local content Advantages, vis-a-vis, distribution and local communities.


4. Bunkering petroleum products.


5. The participation of Imo marketers in the Gas Revolution by the federal government.


The Chairman of the Committee, while demanding for reasons in the disparity in prices of petroleum products in various filling stations across the State, explained that Imo citizens are going through excruciating challenges due to the prevailing economy. 


In his response,  the Chairman of the Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers And Dealers, Chief Chidiebere Okoroafor (Eberelinks), highlighted the challenges in the oil and gas industry, which according to him, "Are known, seen and felt nationwide".


On the issue of irregular proliferation of gas refill installation across the State, the Chairman of the Committee bemoaned the dangers and high risks associated with the setting up of gas outlets and plants within residential areas, as seen almost in every corner of the State capital, Owerri. 


He queried what the regulators are doing in that regard, as gas stations are not supposed to be installed in residential areas, no matter the supposed protective measures being taken.


 Okoroafor however denied that such people are  members of their association. In his words, he said categorically,  "People who installed gas plants in residential areas are not our members. Where you have such cases, their approvals should be investigated by the regulators. 


Refill stations have laid down rules and regulations guiding how to install gas installations  as provided by the Nigerian Midstream And Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Therefore, because of the dangers involved, anybody found to be involved in this illegality of gas installation in residential areas, should be arrested  by the law".


The  Committee further raised the issue of oil companies operating in the State and the advantages that should be accruing to the State Government and generally, to the State.


 The Chairman of the Committee, Hon C Osuoha, said that the end products of the oil companies doing business in the State should be able to be assessed by the marketers participating in the  business, as is the practice in other climes. 


He bemoaned the shortage of diesel (AGO) supply in the State, while there is a modular refinery, Walter Smith Refinery, producing diesel in the State


Responding,  Okoroafor and other members of the association present, passionately appealed to the Committee to intervene on their behalf, explaining the plight they are going through in assessing diesel  from Walter Smith Refinery. They further explained the refusal  by the management of Walter Smith in not considering Imo Marketers and Dealers in their distribution network and chain. They cried to the Committee to urgently intervene in the matter, and for Walter Smith Refinery to register its members, especially those with requisite qualifications, to be able to buy products, particularly, diesel.


The Chairman of the Committee, after listening to them, pledged to ensure that the association is carried along, in the Walter Smith distribution network.


On the issue of oil bunkering, the Chairman and members of the Committee  decried  bunkering activities going on within and  around Imo State. The Chairman of the Committee demanded to know those who patronize such illegal and unlawful activity, noting that "Without the sellers, there would be no buyers, and in extension, pipeline vandalization".


Responding,  Okoroafor and his members vehemently denied knowing those involved in bunkering activities, stating in strong words,  "they are not known to us, and are not members of our association. Our Association is a registered entity, known to law and cannot support or participate in illegality. Anybody caught in the act should be dealt with".


On the issue of Imo marketers participating in the Gas Revolution initiated by the Federal Government, the Committee requested to know how the marketers  are preparing themselves to participate in the opportunities available in the State  in gas manufacturing, distribution and sales. 


The Chairman of the Association welcomed the idea and pleaded with the Committee to broker meetings, through the Ministry of Petroleum and  Commissioner, for the purpose of  maximizing the advantages in the Federal Government's policy on encouraging and permeating the use of gas in homes.


The interface between the IMHA Committee  and the Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers and Dealers ended on a good note, with both parties agreeing to regularly meet to fashion out ways of making the Oil And Gas sector safe for the society, environmentally friendly and economically viable in the State.


Others Members of the House Committee on Oil And Gas present at the meeting include:

1. Hon  Emeka Ozurumba, member representing Isu State Constituency.

2. Hon Bernard Ozoemenam, member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency.

3. Hon Kelechi Ofurum, member representing Owerri-North State Constituency.

4. Lady  Helen Emere, Clerk of the Committee.


While  members of the Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers and Dealers who participated in the meeting include:

1. Chief Temple Eze, Vice Chairman.

2. Chief Chidiebere  Ezeji (M&R Oil Services), Secretary.

3. Sir Acho Ezirim, PRO.

4. Chief Martins Chimodo, Ex-Officio.

5. Engr  Okey Mbeku,, Ex-Officio.

6. Sir Chiemeka Nwosu, Stakeholder.