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Downstream operators seek liberalisation of petroleum price

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FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP

By Kunle Kalejaye

LAGOS-Operators in Nigeria’s downstream sector of the oil and gas industry have called for the total liberalisation of petroleum products price rather than the complete absence of regulation.
‎They explained that no country has an oil and gas industry that is completely without regulation noting that government regulation of petroleum products price has created more obstacles than incentives.
Some of the obstacles according to the Chairman/Managing Director of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji which he described as unsustainable includes fixed margins, delay in subsidy refunds, product adulteration, indiscriminate construction of stations and terminal, distortion in the market and prolong product outages.
Others include opaque allocation of imports quotas which give opportunities to importers with o retail outlets, additional subsidy on fuels distribution costs.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Oyebanji told newsmen in Lagos at the weekend that marketers can operate in either a regulated or deregulated environment as long as they receive economic returns that allow them to cover their costs, encourage investment and make reasonable returns.
Citing the Indonesia experience on subsidy removal, Mr. Oyebanji said reduction in petroleum subsidies in Nigeria will result in an increase in the price level and a reduction in household consumption.
“Even though higher-income groups lose the most from subsidy reduction, the poor are also affected; the later could be protected by well-targeted social safety nets, using some of the fiscal savings generated by subsidy reform.
“Given the contribution of subsidy reduction to fiscal sustainability, higher petroleum prices are unlikely to adversely affect the poor in the long run,” Mr. Oyebanji said.
The Mobil Oil boss therefore calls for a sustainable downstream sector that will liberalised petroleum products pricing, improve large scale investment, efficient competitive landscape, effective technology tools, anti monopoly legislation, improve consumer protection and quality products.
‎”The deregulation of the telecommunications and media industries point to the positive effects of the policy and represent a tested path to the long term sustainability of any industry despite likely short term pain,” Mr. Oyebanji said.
Commenting on the positive implications of subsidy removal, Oyebanji said there be will be significant reduction in government expenditure which means more money for productive capital projects and to finance intervention programs.
“Pump price will trend‎ international product pricing with consumers benefits from seasonality; increased confidence from the international community in the Nigeria economy; improved transparency and accountability in the downstream sector for all stakeholders; and increased competition and investment in the sector by player,” he said.
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Oil

FG Introduces New Incentives To Revitalize Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry

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In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has unveiled two key fiscal incentives aimed at attracting investment and enhancing energy security.

The announcement was made by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Wednesday.

The first initiative, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, introduces critical exemptions for essential energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment.

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These exemptions are designed to reduce living costs for Nigerians, promote energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.

The second initiative, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, offers new tax relief options for deep offshore exploration projects.

This measure aims to position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for international oil and gas investments, boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.

These reforms are part of a broader set of policy initiatives, known as Policy Directives 40-42, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The directives reflect the administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global oil and gas market.

 

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Tinubu set to approve ExxonMobil-Seplat oil deal, expands CNG bus initiative

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By Yemie Adeoye

NIGERIA’s President Bola Tinubu has announced that the protracted ExxonMobil-Seplat upstream oil divestment will be formally approved by the Minister of petroleum within a matter of days, just as he announced his government’s intention to expand the Compress natural Gas, CNG buses initiative.

The President who stated this during his Independence day nationwide broadcast stated that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to free enterprise, free entry and free exit in investments which is the hallmark of his administration investment policy.

“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.”

The President also seized the opportunity to plead with Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reform policies. “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel”.

“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.

Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace”. he enthused.

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Oil

ExxonMobil To Invest $10bn In Nigeria’s Deep-Water Oil Operations

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As part of the administration’s push to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed support for ExxonMobil’s plan to invest $10 billion in the country’s deep-water oil sector.

Speaking on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during a meeting with ExxonMobil executives at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Shettima called the investment “a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investor-friendly policies.”

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This announcement follows news that international maritime company DP World intends to develop a multibillion-dollar port project in Nigeria.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, shared the development in a statement on Wednesday. He quoted Shettima as saying: “ExxonMobil’s potential investment aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for a more investment-friendly Nigeria.

We are committed to fostering an environment that supports such transformative projects.”Shettima also discussed the administration’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business, highlighting the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to simplify bureaucratic processes, enhance transparency, and offer fiscal incentives to attract global investors.

“Our administration has taken bold steps to unify the exchange rate, remove fuel subsidies, and implement tax reforms. These measures, though challenging in the short term, are intended to create a stable and predictable business environment in the long term,” he added.

On the oil and gas sector, Shettima mentioned that the government is revising the fiscal framework for deep-water operations to attract investment while ensuring fair returns for the Nigerian people.

 

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