The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Sunday urged the Federal Government to demonstrate commitment to stimulating local refining of crude oil in 2015.
The General Secretary of the union, Bayo Olowoshile, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that only domestic refining would end crises in the oil and gas sector.
Olowoshile said: “The key focus of the government in 2015 should be to stimulate local refining of petroleum, white products and petrochemical products.
“Domestic gas production for energy, industry, agricultural and automotive purposes should be given ultimate attention in the New Year.”
The PENGASSAN scribe said that the government should cut the rate of importation of products by 50 per cent.
Olowoshile said: “Job creation and manpower utilisation should also be a priority of the government at such time like this when crime rate has increased.
“Many of our present challenges are tied to unemployment and government’s inability to channel the youthful strength of our young people into productive activities.”
Olowoshile said a slice in importations of products would not only stabilise the economy but also create millions of job to unemployed youths in the country.
He said that importation of finished products into the country was a “canker worm” that had left many Nigerians jobless.
According to him, government should boost local capacity development and curb idleness in the country.
Olowoshile urged government to halt capital flights in the New Year to save enough money for infrastructure and socio-economic development of the nation.
The oil workers’ leader urged the government to do everything possible toward ensuring restoration of national peace and tranquility.
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