In its avowed commitment to ensure availability of petroleum products in the State, the Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC)has been engaging with various stakeholders in the sector.

In a recent familiarization tour, the committee met with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Eket and Virgin Forest Energy in Mbo to discuss potential collaborations.

The EKPO-led committee thanked NMDPRA for a warm reception and called for a partnership to address key challenges in the petroleum sector, including unavailability, diversion, adulteration, and under-dispensing

NMDPRA’s State Coordinator, IKECHUKWU ESEKA, welcomed the partnership and attributed product shortages to deliberate acts by Petroleum stakeholders.  He said the government initiative to establish petroleum depots in the state was laudable. He advised the committee to establish a standard laboratory to test the authenticity of petroleum derivatives.

Ekpo commended Virgin Forest Energy for building a tank farm in Mbo, which has added value to the community, and solicited partnerships to sell subsidized petroleum products to marketers.

 The Facility Manager VICTOR OMOTE appreciated the committee’s visit and highlighted challenges, including N2 billion spent on dredging due to low water capacity.

In a subsequent meeting with IPMAN, key stakeholders in the sector, EKPO sued for cooperation in curbing sector irregularities. He also reiterated the committee’s zero-tolerance policy for illegality, warning that lifting unauthorized products will not be tolerated.

In his remarks, IPMAN’s national ex-officio,Sir MICHAEL UDOFIA,praised the Governor for establishing the petroleum task force, which has significantly reduced harassment from security operatives and brought peace to the sector.

Addressing the harassment claims by marketers, ACP Kenneth Egbo, assured fair treatment and investigation of these claims.