Kogi NOA Sensitizes Public On Benefits Of Petroleum Industry Deregulation
By Abubakar S. H
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, in kogi State has embarked on a sensitisation campaign to change the negative perception of people about the deregulation of the downstream sector of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry and also to secure the acceptance of the policy by all the people in kogi state.
The Deputy Director, Documentation, Translation and Publications (DTP),
National Orientation Agency, Mr Patrick Odogbanya disclosed this during an advocacy visit to the office of the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kogi State Council.
The Deputy Director said the essence of the visit was to create awareness for members of the public on what deregulation is all about and also on the benefits of subsidy removal.
He also said the visit was to appeal to the media to help disseminate the news items in order to conscientize members of the public on the advantages of deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum industry and also keep the public abreast of the measures being put in place to cushion the effects of subsidy removal”.
“I want to inform the public on what fuel subsidy is all about, why it should be removed and the gains of fuel subsidy removal.
The State Deputy Director highlighted the benefits saying that it will free up resources for other sectors of the economy, Grow Domestic Refining by creating a market reflective downstream which invariably stimulates more downstream investments, especially in the domestic refining space, thereby creating more jobs, prosperity and growth.
He further said it would also create Establishing of domestic refineries to produce more petroleum products, thereby reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
He also said the domestic refineries will boost the country’s economy”, the removal of fuel subsidies will put a stop to the unhealthy price hike.
” It would also create open market reflective prices bring in more players and create a more efficient market thereby reducing fuel scarcity and its adverse effects on the Economy”.
Responding, the Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh who was ably represented by his Vice Chairman, commended NOA for the visit and promised to ensure that the media create awareness to the public using both print and electronic media to pass the information to the people.
According to him, ” It is the responsibility of the media to inform and enlightening the public about the activities of government and also ensure that the interest of the public is also protected”.
He therefore assured NOA team that the union will ensure that they assist to disseminate the news to the members of the public on what deregulation is all about and also on the benefits of subsidy removal, he said.
