Anselem Anokwute
The Government of Imo State has assured the leadership, management and members of Association of Petroleum Marketers and Dealers Imo State Chapter in a resounding collaboration to improve the living Standard and the economy.
Promising on a continues mutual and beneficial partnership with the Association Petroleum Marketers and Dealers of Nigeria, in Imo State, on better ways to improves the living standard of the people and the State economy, which was described as partners in progress to move the State forward.
The promise was made by the State Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, while addressing Executive Members and some stakeholders of the Association when they paid her a courtesy visit in her office recently.
The number two citizen of Imo State said most of the demands of the Association, as contained in their address had already been taken care of by the government, as according to her, the 3R agenda of the government led by Governor Hope Uzodimma is one of open door, which is eager to collaborate with all the Associations like theirs, in making sure that Imo State becomes what it is supposed to be.
She promised to keep reminding the governor of their request to be given adequate attention and due allocation of petroleum products from the Waltersmith Refinery, Obitti, and the ANOH Gas Plant Assault North in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Lady Ekomaru described members of the Association as people of impeccable character and the highest employers of labour in the state.
As their efforts in making sure that the product is available can’t be over emphasized pointing out that the petroleum products availability has geometrically improved the State economic standard through the
movement of humans, goods and services are well articulated and facilitated.
“You are already one of us, and it is easy to collaborate with partners who have already invested so much in the state and always investing. Government will do its part, as you continue to do your own part”.
In his speech, Imo State Chairman Association of Petroleum Marketers and Dealers of Nigeria, Sir Chidiebere Okoroafor, described the group as the umbrella body of all persons, both individuals and corporate bodies engaged in the business of Petroleum marketing and dealership in the state.
According to him, the Association, through their industries have played pivotal role in the economic growth and development of the state, having been in the forefront of providing energy resources that power the economy and improve the lives of the citizens.
He re-emphasized the need for stronger partnership between the Association and the government, to ensure that they operate in a manner that is responsible, sustainable and mutually benefits to the stakeholders and the citizens.
Maintaining that, the Association has remained a major employers of labour and productivity and expressed their unflinching commitment to work with the government, to develop both policies, programmes and initiatives that will promote job creations, skills acquisition and human capital developments, as well as local content creation analysis and promotion.
Complaining to the Deputy Governor, that their Association was being neglected and denied the Opportunity and privileges of getting allocations of product from Waltersmith Refinery, despite their entreaties to the company.
They further, requested that the state government should intervene to ensure that the Association gets product allocation at concessional rate from the ANOH Gas processing plant, established by the federal government in the state, which the deputy governor recently commissioned, on behalf of the governor.
