By Yange Ikyaa
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) has urged Nigerians to hold government accountable for the proceeds shared from subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate.
Its National Operations Controller, Mr Mike Osatuyi, gave the advice on Sunday in Lagos at a session tagged; “The Aftermath of Fuel Subsidy Removal,” which was aired by TVC.
Osatuyi said that with over N2 trillion shared by the three tiers of government, “it is time Nigerians began to demand more accountability from government, both at the state and local government levels.
According to him, Nigerians should hold government accountable on the money received from FAAC.
“Subsidy removal will attract more money for government.
“The foreign exchange rates has being unified and the subsidy payment that was usual paid on monthly bases now go to government pulse, “he said.
The IPMAN Official said that the N2 trillion shared was higher than previous money shared to the tiers of government, adding that government ought to do more for its citizens.
He said that money that would have been frittered away, in a month, via fuel subsidy will now go into the coffers of the government to improve living conditions of the people.
His words: “What this means is that there will now be more money available for government to embark on infrastructures development.
“Government at all levels will become more solvent, be in a stronger financial position to easily pay new minimum wage and fund development in critical sectors, especially in education, healthcare and public transportation.
“Going forward, Nigerians should begin to focus attention on their states and local governments to demand more accountability and transparency in the use of public fund.
“The highest money l have ever seen shared was N800 bllion and not as higher as N2 trillion. The money came through subsidy and forex.
“In another two to four months when all loopholes has been blocked sharing formular can go as high as N3 trillion and above.
“The problem is that would goverment use the money well to cushion the effect of suffering,
“If states use the money on infrastructures to the development of Nigerians and we are paying more on petrol, it will not better.
“I hope and pray that government use the money judiciously and transparently to the development of Nigeria and Nigerians. “
On fuel importation, Osatuyi noted that currently the price of petrol is being determined by market forces.
He explained that since subsidy had being removed and old stock of petrol has been exhausted, marketers are now importing product.
In his own words, “the market has been opened and it will be determined by the parameter on the landing cost, the cost of crude per barrel and exchange rates.
“The era of subsidy has gone. So, marketers can now import petrol based on market fundermentals.
“The crude oil price and forex are determining forces in petrol importation and pump price determination.”
Osatuyi said that if more petrol is imported into the country, it would drive down the price because there will be competition, efficiency and more service to customers.
On Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Osatuyi said that the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) that was initiated by government in 2010 was later suppressed.
“CNG was a great alternative to petrol, but how ready are we?,” he questioned.
Osatuyi acknowledged that both MOMAN, IPMAN and DAPPMAN had the capacity, but the conversion of vehicles to CNG is also an issue.
The IPMAN Operations Controller urged the Federal Government to focus on vehicles conversion, adding that it cost between N400,000 and N500,000 to convert a vehicle.
He added that government can also subsidies the conversion of vehicles to CNG-powerd types because it is cleaner and cheaper.
According to him, “CNG is durable, it ought to have being done years back, the CNG is a big options.
“Presently, over 40 per cent vehicles in Benin, Edo State go on gas through NIPCO. Government can replicate such in every state.”
On the Dangote Refinery, Osatuyi said “we should thank Dangote for the bailout of the masses in the country’s downstream sector.
“At least we have one of the biggest refinaries in Africa sited in Nigeria.
“There are benefits to Nigerians, when a marketer imports petrol, he will pay various charges and levies, but with Dangote refinary, some of these levies will go off and cut off drastically more cost than imported fuel.
“A lot of benefits will be attracted to Dangote Refinery coming on stream, it will abolish sourcing for forex.
“Nigeria is spending billions of dollars to import, that is while we should encourage local refining.”
“It is because we import virtually everything in Nigeria and pay in dollars, that is why things are expensive.
“When Dangote Refinery commences operations, it will save the country billions of forex and also create opportunities for our teaming youths.,”