From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
Worried by the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, petrol currently sold at N1,300/litre in Akwa Ibom State has given Governor Umo Eno, a cause for concern, and he has given assurance of his administration’s readiness to partner relevant Federal agencies for the establishment of petroleum depot in the State.
According to him, the partnership would also seek a moderate landing cost and seamless supply of petroleum products for the people.
Governor Eno, who gave the assurance during the inauguration of the State’s Petroleum Monitoring Committee, PPMC, and the State Security Trust Fund Board, SSTF, at the State Executive Council, SEC, chambers, Government House, Uyo, noted that members of the two bodies have immense work ahead in addressing the energy sector crisis.
He highlighted the huge contributions of the State to the production capacity of Nigeria’s petroleum and gas industry, stressing the necessity of locating a depot in the State to avail the people the privilege of commensurate access to the products.
Clarifying the mandate of the PPMC, the Governor stated that the committee is saddled with the responsibility of working with petroleum marketers to ensure smooth loading and distribution of petroleum products in the State; align pump prices with national figures and elimination of sharp practices that may sabotage the economy of the State or undermine the well-being of the people.
He said: “Your job is direct and simple: You are to work with petroleum marketers to ensure that the loading and distribution of petroleum products in our State are done without causing pain and discomfort to our people. That the pump price of fuel is in line with what obtains elsewhere; that petroleum products are not hoarded for price gouging purposes. You must ensure that any gas or petrol station that engages in such acts are penalized to the fullest extent of the law.
“We are here to serve our people and work to advance their growth and we remain dedicated to doing exactly that! I trust that you will execute the responsibilities associated with the Committee you have just been inaugurated into.
“As Government, we want to build a depot in our State, to cut down the issues related to loading and distribution of petroleum products. We are hopeful that we will get the necessary support from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to build this depot”.
On security, the Governor reaffirmed that his administration was conscious of its primary responsibility of securing the life and property of the citizenry which underpins the principle of his social contract with the people, as reflected in the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration.
These, the Governor outlined, have been reflected in his administration’s strides in the security sector, such as: the establishment of a full- fledged Ministry of Internal Affairs and Waterways, headed by a retired Army General, donation of 14 gun boats to the Maritime Joint Task Force to contain the activities of pirates and other security challenges around the waterways, donation of Hilux trucks to the Police to enable real time response to security issues, among others.
“The primary responsibility of this Board, will among others, pursue private, corporate, local, State and Federal funding opportunities to accomplish the State’s security goals”, the Governor added.
He commended the timely passage of the Bill by the State House of Assembly to establish the Board and the efforts of security agencies in maintaining the atmosphere of peace in the state so far.
In their separate responses, Chairmen of the Board of Security Trust Fund, and the Petroleum Monitoring Committee, Chief Paul Usoro, SAN, and Godwin Ekpo,a former House of Assembly member for Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, respectively, expressed appreciation for the opportunities, assuring that with their mandates clearly spelt out, they would work assiduously to make the government and the people proud.
