Energy expert, Dr Yussif Sulemana, has expressed concern over the influx of Chinese tanker drivers in the fuel distribution system in the country.

According to him, there’s some form of “coercion” within the downstream and in spite of the fact that the country needs foreign investment, it should not be to the detriment of the local players. He explained that the downstream sector which controls close to 7% to 8% of the country’s GDP cannot be treated lightly.

“I’ve heard of the development, and I think it’s something that is worrying, and the high time the regulator takes steps to regularize it the better. I’m saying that because if you look at our downstream, it has developed so much, so that the credit will go to NPA and all the key players that are involved – Petroleum Service Providers, consumers and all alike…”
Dr Yussif Sulemana

Commenting on AOMC’s calls on NPA to come clean on foreign participation in fuel transportation, Dr Sulemana stated that there are already laws involved which must be effected. He lamented that local content laws have not been integrated to the extent that there are loopholes that it impacts as people can infiltrate and take advantage.

“So, going forward, I believe the NPA’s capability to do the needful, and the needful thing is that even if the tankers are already there in place, I think NPA has the ultimate say. They have to do impartial investigation, but the ultimate thing is that our local businesses shouldn’t be impacted. It is beautiful to have it if it’s in the area of refinery – I always call for that.”
Dr Yussif Sulemana

Protecting the interest of local tanker drivers

Furthermore, Dr Sulemana underscored that in the area of petroleum transportation, it should be protected for the local players. This, he indicated, is because they’re not doing bad.

“If there were lapses that we want foreigners to fill, that’s a different thing altogether. But I think this is an area that the players that are there currently are doing phenomenally well and I don’t think there’s the need to dilute their participation at this point in time.”
Dr Yussif Sulemana

Elaborating on whether the NPA has failed in its supervisory role to ensure that the space reserved for indigenes as stipulated in the local content law has been left unguarded, Dr Sulemana revealed that it is not entirely the case.

He stated that if the influx of chinese national in fuel transportation business were “already existing then I’ll put the blame on NPA”. However, he indicated that this is just a recent information and NPA has also indicated that it’s going to investigate it thoroughly.

“So, at the end of the investigation, that’s when we can say whether the regulatory body is not doing its job or otherwise. But until then, I believe they will do the needful… What I foresee is that if we don’t see NPA is fighting for them or trying to protect them, they’ll have a way of [reacting] and one way is to threaten strike. I can tell you if they should threaten strike, it’s not going to be good for the downstream.”
Dr Yussif Sulemana

Meanwhile, Dr Sulemana emphasized the need for NPA to speedily address the issue. He noted that the area of fuel transportation must be secured to ensure that local players are protected.

“They have to resolve it as soon as possible, as soon as practicable and time is of essence here… We just keep our fingers crossed and hoping something quick will be done… So, NPA, I call on them to ensure that this is investigated as soon as possible so that we don’t see other repercussions before even the ultimate repercussion happens.”
Dr Yussif Sulemana