Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has advocated the total deregulation of the oil downstream sector saying it will ensure the removal of government’s overbearing influence in the management of the petroleum industry.
The governor gave the position at the 10th National Roundtable for Proactive Laws and Good Governance organised by the Initiatives, a legislative group in the House of Representatives.
Governor Aliyu said deregulation will spur higher productivity and efficiency in the oil sector.
According to him, deregulation of the oil sector will free the government from the bondage of continuous financing of extensive projects which are best suited for private investments.
The roundtable on deregulation of the oil sector organised by the Initiatives took place at the main hall of Thisday Dome in Abuja.
The leader of the group, Rep. Eseme Eyiboh set the tone for the discussion by asking several questions on the appropriateness of the deregulation policy.
Chairman of the session and governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu questioned the state of the nation’s refineries.
Giving an overview of the roundtable, Prof. Adeola Adenikiju of the University of Ibadan and the lead discussant, Prof. Ganiyu Garba condemned the call against deregulation saying Nigeria is the only OPEC country that depends largely on importation.
The theme of the discussion; Deregulation in an Emerging Economy has further opened the debate on the plan by the government to remove subsidy on petroleum products next year.