The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying it has sparked an unprecedented revival in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the downstream sector.
Abbas who stated this on Monday while declaring open the first annual downstream petroleum week, stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu’s administration is reforming and revitalizing key sectors of the economy.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker noted that the conference, themed “Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting Our Challenges and Finding Solutions for the Petroleum Downstream Sector,” is remarkable and a timely reminder that Nigeria is full of success stories, and that the challenges are not insurmountable and with this kind of collaboration, quality assurance and self-evaluation by critical stakeholders, solutions are bound to emerge.
He said that the effective take-off of the Dangote Refinery marked a turning point in the nation’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.
He also said the anticipated emergence of other private indigenous refineries underlines the need for the National Assembly to continue to create a functional environment for industries to thrive.
Abass said the outcome of conferences such as this not only make the laws the parliament makes more pertinent and productive, but ensures that it will receive the avid cooperation and support of industry leaders.
The Speaker therefore urged the stakeholders to come up with innovative and creative solutions that will revamp the petroleum downstream sector, contribute to the overall development of the economy and positively impact the country as a whole.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman House Committee on Letroleum Resources Downstream, Ikenga Ugochinyere urged labour unions and stakeholders in the oil industry to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve refinery dispute.
He said the Committee is aware of the recent labour concerns involving Dangote Refinery and sector unions, noting that while such issues are not uncommon in developing economies, they must never be allowed to undermine productivity or national stability.
He therefore urged both labour unions and industry operators to always pursue dialogue over disruptions at all times, assuring of the parliament’s readiness to facilitate peace, fairness, and mutual respect in all industrial engagements.
Ugochinyere added that the Downstream Week is designed to be a recurring space for national dialogue, where they assess policies, evaluate progress, and celebrate excellence, toward a shared vision for a competitive and transparent downstream sector.
