The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that the best way to put an end to persistent fuel scarcity is for the Federal Government to invest more in modular refineries.
This advice was given on Tuesday by the Chairman, South-west zone of IPMAN, Debo Ahmmed, during an interview with journalists in Lagos.
Ahmed said that the modular refineries could help address any shortfall in fuel supply pending when additional refineries would be built.
In his explanation, he said, “It will also boost the country’s revenue generation and address frequent fuel capacity experienced during the yuletide seasons.
“Our expectation in 2018 is for the government to invest more on modular refineries to be able to have more petrol locally to address scarcity,’’ he added.
Ahmed said that government had performed credibility well in the downstream sector in 2017, adding that it should crown it by building more modular refineries.
According to him, a modular refinery is cheaper to build and it can move from one place to another.
“A modular refinery is capable of refining between 10,000 and 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day,’’ he said.
It will be recalled that, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo two days ago in Lagos, confirmed that 10 modular refineries were at advanced stages of development in the Niger Delta.
He said that the 10 modular refineries are located in five out of the nine states in the Niger Delta region.
The states include Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Imo.
