OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy Marketing- a licensee of Oando Pls, Huub Stokman, has advised the Nigerian government to consider pipelines as means of transporting petroleum products across the country instead of the trucks through roads.
He said this during a media session with journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to him, pipelines are safer and more efficient.
However, he said the sector does not have unlimited funds to invest in variety of projects hence, the need to make choices depending on which one guarantees fastest cost recovery.
He further explained that even though investors have investment choices to make, however, the end decision remains that of the government.
“We can only bring up arguments because we can’t dictate for government on what to invest in,” he said.
However, he said deregulation is the best way to go.
“Let the market forces determine prices,” he said.
On importation of petroleum products by marketing companies he explained that issues surrounding importation are more than marketers can handle until the government deregulates product prices.
“That’s why NNPC is currently the sole importer of petroleum products. We can’t get involved until deregulation happens,” he said.
He listed some of the company’s achievements during the year, saying it invested significantly in upgrading its existing retail stations to better services and create the right experience for its customers.
The company recently concluded its Oleum Awoof promo where it gave out a brand new Toyota Yaris and over 4000 gift items including motorcycles, motorbikes, TVs, generators, and tool boxes-an initiative to give back to society.
He said the company is currently expanding its LPG footprint as it has installed 38 skid tanks, including its pay-as-you-gas, PAUG plants.
“We have also added a 6kg 3-in-1 cooking bundle to our O-Gas offerings (3kg, 6kg, 12.5kg, and 50kg) and pay-as-you-gas-our spot buying options,” he said.
According to him, the company recently celebrated 15 years of zero lost time injury of its terminal in Onne, Rivers state.
“We also recorded a significant milestone last month when we upgraded our ASPM jetty to receive both PMS and diesel for our customers in a process we refer to as pigging”.
“Earlier in the year, we also celebrated 100 vessel berths without any lost time injury,” he said.
He explained that its numerous CSR programmes are ways to ensure fulfilling its promises to customers- providing trusted petroleum products.