…Demands road infrastructure funding via 5% fuel charge
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Association of Nigerian Refineries Petroleum Marketers (ANRPM) has called on the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive “amnesty model” for artisanal refiners and pipeline vandals, mirroring the Presidential Amnesty Programme initiated for ex-militants in the Niger Delta.
This was contained in a communique issued on Thursday by the association following a joint meeting of its Board of Trustees and National Executive Council, in Abuja.
In the document, ANRPM proposed the establishment of a presidential committee to drive the amnesty programme.
The committee, according to the association, should be tasked with receiving repentant operators of illegal refineries, collating their data, facilitating rehabilitation, and designing economic reintegration strategies. It also recommended the approval of mini modular refineries to be managed by indigenes of affected communities.
The association said such a move would help curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other illegal activities while creating sustainable livelihoods in oil-producing regions.
On fuel subsidy reform, ANRPM declared its strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction, noting that the previous subsidy regime was riddled with corruption, inefficiencies, and misuse of public funds.
The association described the removal of fuel subsidies as a necessary step toward building a transparent, market-driven, and sustainable petroleum sector.
However, it stressed the need for effective regulatory oversight and accountability mechanisms. It called for the adoption of digital tracking systems, transparent procurement processes, and stricter enforcement measures to eliminate fraud and ensure accurate product accounting.
The association also weighed in on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA)’s proposed 5% user charge on fuel pump prices, backing the initiative but insisting that implementation must lead to immediate and visible improvements on key national road networks.
Specifically, ANRPM highlighted the Benin-Lokoja-Abuja expressway and the Benin-Ore-Lagos road as critical transport corridors that need urgent repair to prevent tanker accidents, delays, and product losses. It noted that the poor state of these roads contributes significantly to operational costs, endangering both marketers and commuters.
“That ANRPM voiced its strong support for any initiative, including the proposed 5% user’s charge on fuel pump prices, that directly and swiftly tackles the deplorable condition of Nigerian roads. However, the association emphasises that the implementation of such a charge must be directly tied to immediate and visible action on critical road networks” the statement read.
The association further urged the government to invest in alternative transportation systems, particularly railway infrastructure, to reduce pressure on the roads and improve overall efficiency in petroleum logistics.
ANRPM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local refining capacity, reducing Nigeria’s dependency on fuel imports, and attracting investment in downstream infrastructure. It restated its partnerships with key stakeholders, including security agencies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
These collaborations, it said, are aimed at eradicating crude oil theft, illegal refining, and fuel adulteration while empowering Nigerian youths in the oil and gas sector.
Additionally, the association emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s active participation in OPEC policy discussions. It urged the Federal Government to seek a fair and flexible production quota that reflects the nation’s refining capacity and domestic energy needs.
The document was jointly signed by Usman Bature Ali (BOT National Chairman), Hajiya Hauwa Usman (BOT Secretary), Ndukwe Sam Obu Esq. (Member BoT/Director General, ANRPM), Dr. Chidi Elogha Okoye (Member BoT/Director-General, Oil and Gas), Engr. Dr. Olusegun Okedoye (Member BoT/Director, Inter-governmental & Corporate Affairs), Rev. Dr. Augustine Aganmwonyi (Member BoT/South-South Supervisory Chairman), Dr. Anthony Ezekwugo (Director of Foreign Affairs), Dame Julie Okah Donli, OON (Head, Delegation for Peace, Mediation and Conciliation), Lady Judith Nwachukwu (National Spokesperson), and Joe Ogbodu (National Media and Publicity).