By: Wilbet Ijeoma
The Association of Nigeria Refineries Petroleum Marketers (ANRPM) unveiled its Zonal Comptroller 1/ States Chairmen in a strategic forum with Pressmen today the 3rd day of June 2024 in Asaba, Delta State. The event which took place at Ofimaks Hotel, Asaba was presided by the Zonal Comptroller 1 Operations of the Niger-Delta States, Dr. Edison C. Nwadiaro and roundly attended by executives and staff members of the Association from the different states of Niger-Delta Zone.
The Comptroller 1 Operations of the Niger-Delta States who doubles as the Acting National Coordinator of ANRPM, underscored the mandate of the Association which is Say No to all forms of petroleum products illegalities such as bunkering, dubious middlemen, artificial scarcity of petroleum products and adulteration of petroleum products, amongst others. He revealed diversion of products as a consequential bane to the supply of the product in Nigeria as some distributors divert products to neighbouring countries thereby inducing artificial scarcity and price hike of the products.
Giving credence to his appointment, Dr. Edison Nwadiaro read his appointment letter from the National Office of ANRPM under the distinguished leadership of Hon. Usman B. Ali, the National Board Chairman of the Association. The Zonal Comptroller 1 affirms that he has 9 States under his oversight which include Abia, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Ondo, Delta, Imo, Akwa-Ibom and Edo States.
Speaking on the authority upon which the Association derived its powers, the Comptroller 1 mentioned that ANRPM is a contraption of the Federal Government, thus it is a Federal Task Force seeking collaboration with the State Government and all security agencies in Niger-Delta region so as to tackle headlong the illegalities in petroleum midstream and downstream subsector.
Speaking further, Dr. Edison Nwadiaro intimated that letters of introduction of State Chairmen have been written to State Governments of the states under his purview with some critical statutory bodies of the states as copy addressees. He also hinted on an advanced training programme for staff of the Association for capacity building which is billed to take place outside the shores of the country. While taking turn to introduce and present appointment letters to the zonal and state chairmen present at the event, Dr. Edison Nwadiaro charged them to discharge their duties effectively without fear or favour.
States and their Chairmen inaugurated in the event are; Abia – AGBARA CHIKEZIE
Imo – AMAECHI ADIBE, Enugu- Amb. GEORGE IGWE, Rivers- BENJACK TELEMA, and Bayelsa- Engr Ozeke Frank Kemefa.
Highpoints of the events were introduction of the Association, elucidation of its mandate, reading of letters of introductions and appointments, presentations of appointment letters to State Chairmen culminating in Press interview.
Responding to journalists, Dr. Nwadiaro who hails from Oguta in Imo State explained that the mission of the Association is to eradicate all the irregularities in the Oil Sector by illegal bunkers. He emphasized that the scope of its operations is delimited to engaging and synergizing with law enforcement agencies, ministries and private parastatals. “We are bringing amnesty to those illegal bunkers, bringing them together while federal government will come and know how to assist them”; Dr. Nwadiaro remarked.
Speaking further, the Comptroller 1 assured that ANRPM are on ground to clamp down on defaulters and perpetrators of all forms of petroleum products illegalities. “We are here to fight all menace in the oil sector”; Dr. Nwadiaro reaffirmed. On how to inaugurate States and staff members, the Comptroller said the Association is taking it gradually state by state seeking those fit and credible to join the Association across the 9 Niger-Delta States.
On whether the Association has adequate manpower to enforce its mandate, Dr. Nwadiaro said they are not working alone as ANRPM is working in collaboration with security agencies, and that Delta State has 375 field workers, 15 from each of the 25 LGAs of the state with the state executives making it 400 workers, which has made positive impacts on employment creation for Deltans.
Notable executive members of ANRPM present at the event include Delta South Coordinator, Amb Dr. Mrs. Success Mogaju, Acting Zonal Coordinator Delta North, Hon. Matthew Ochonogor, Chief of Staff of Delta North, Mrs. Helen Okechukwu Ada, S.A. Special Duties, Amb. George Onyemechi, Director Admin, AMB. Joshua Michel, and Admin Manager, Mrs. Magdalene Ofulue, amongst others.
