The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has thrown his weight behind the adoption of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model as a strategic approach to reviving the long-dormant Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
Osifo believes that this model, which has proven effective in the management and profitability of NLNG, could serve as a blueprint for restructuring and revitalizing Nigeria’s ailing downstream infrastructure.
Osifo made this recommendation during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja.
He used the occasion to commend the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, for the increasing signs of stability in the oil and gas sector under his leadership. He noted that while the sector still faces significant challenges, the direction under Ojulari’s stewardship has inspired confidence among stakeholders.
The PENGASSAN president voiced concern over the prolonged shutdown of the country’s key refineries, stating that their non-functionality has far-reaching implications not just for the industry, but also for workers and the national economy.
He reiterated the union’s readiness to partner with NNPCL in driving operational efficiency and restoring productivity across the sector.
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“Managing institutions like this and driving change always come with challenges, but at PENGASSAN, we are fully behind you, we will collaborate with your team to ensure system stability, because when the system falters, it affects our members directly.”Osifo said
He expressed optimism that with the right policies and increased collaboration between stakeholders, Nigeria could boost its daily crude oil production from the current average of 1.8 million barrels to 2.6 million barrels per day by 2026.
Osifo emphasized that achieving this target would require urgent reforms, improved capacity utilization, and a commitment to transparent and accountable management practices.
The proposal to adopt the NLNG model aligns with growing calls for increased private sector participation and efficiency-driven governance in the oil and gas industry.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to reposition the sector, the support of labour unions such as PENGASSAN could prove crucial to the success of these reforms.
