From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Heineken Lokpobiri, has said the crisis between the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), would be resolved amicably.
Lokpobiri, who stated this at a meeting with the OPTS and IPPG representatives yesterday in Abuja, said the Federal Government was committed to supporting local refining of crude oil, as contained in the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA).
According to him, the rift among stakeholders in the sector would be resolved in no distance time. This is even as he set up a committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Nicholas Ella, and mandated him to look into the crisis and get back to him next week.
He said: “We see that there is a seemingly misunderstanding between the parties.
“We are building consensus with a view to resolving it and that is why we are gathered here to discuss the issues raised by both OPTS and IPPG members.
“At the end of the day, we have been able to agree, except for one or two gray areas.
“What we have resolved is that there should be a small committee, to be headed by the permanent secretary that will look at the matter between Monday and Tuesday, and report back to me.
“Then we can inform Nigerians on the matter contrary to whatever opinion they may have, the oil industry is one, and we are all committed to ensuring that we support local refining.
“We are also committed to ensuring that we build the best environment that is globally competitive to allow business operations in the oil and gas sector. That is the essence of government. That is why since we were appointed that has been a major policy trust. Wherever there are issues, we sit down to resolve those issues.
“Please, report to Nigerians that those issues people thought were difficult have been largely agreed upon. All the oil companies in Nigeria are committed to ensuring that we meet that part of the PIA that has to do with domestic support,” he said.