SOKOTO, AUGUST 26, 2016 – Alhaji Sule Magaji, the Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Sokoto State, on Friday advised the Federal Government to commence haulage of petroleum products through the rail lines.Magaji gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Sokoto.
He said that the initiative would ensure optimal production by existing refineries, currently affected by vandalism of oil pipelines.
The IPMAN official said the railway offers a viable alternative to the current system of piping crude oil to refineries and haulage of refined products by road.
“Rehabilitation of rail lines will also make the haulage of products to all parts of the country faster, cheaper and more efficient, “ Magaji said.
The Sokoto state IPMAN chairman also advised the government to rehabilitate all existing refineries, to boost local production of petroleum products.
“Existing refineries should be made functional for optimal output; it is only when this is done that products will be pumped through pipelines to the various depots.”
Magaji also supported the issuance of licences for establishment of modular refineries, to create jobs and make products easily available to consumers.
